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Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;

Make His deeds known among the peoples.

~ 1 Chronicles 16:8



Good morning Dear Sister!

It’s been a different sort of week, so my note to you is going to have a different sort of tone. I pray you will be blessed and your heart will be moved as I share some of my innermost thoughts with you.

Last Thursday morning I was sitting in my ‘sunrise’ chair (my quiet place where I go to spend some time with the Lord [see Connect Group homework]) and an old scripture song was going through my head (the best way to memorize scripture IMHO). Part of that song is the verse referenced above.

I didn’t know exactly where it was in my Bible so I started digging around. Remember, to find treasure, one must dig! I didn’t find those verses right away because the Lord led me to a nearby place in the Old Testament where the enemies of Judah and Jerusalem were rising up and planning to attack!

What an account of battle that is! The people were outnumbered and afraid, but the Lord told them, “You need not fight this battle, station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out and face them, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

So, what did they do? They fell down and worshipped the Lord! When they went out to meet their adversaries, their leader reminded them to ‘put their trust in God and they would be established.’ So, they began singing and praising the Lord, singing “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (2 Chronicles 20:22)

Notice that the Lord said, “You need not fight this battle”. As I read this out loud to myself (another Connect group assignment) I started weeping. Such comfort and encouragement from the Lord God Almighty to His children! Ponder what the Lord spoke to them; you’re about to get in a fight, but I will fight for you! Be ready to receive My instruction and stand firm in your confidence in Me! Watch Me fight for you! Do not be afraid, face your enemy, I am with you!

Was the Lord preparing me for something? Little did I know that I would soon be facing a battle myself and would need to remember these words.

Thursday, February 6th, 2:40 PM, I answered a call from my husband and instantly knew something was terribly wrong. An ambulance was on the way! I was desperate to be alongside him, but after knowing help was coming to him, I felt the Lord calling to me to come alongside Him first.

He reminded me that this battle was not mine to fight. He held me and assured me that He was fighting for me. He wanted my heart and mind to be established; to be focused on Him and His goodness. Like the Israelites of old, I began worshipping, I began singing and praising the Lord. 

There were many weird obstacles in my way to meet my Beloved, both mental and physical, but as I kept singing and praising I began to feel peace and confidence. I knew He was with me. He made my path straight through all kinds of trouble and provided everything I needed, right down to a perfect parking space. 

Meanwhile, the Lord was also fighting for Ted; clearing a path and making a way for intervention, help and healing. Providing expert knowledge and technology to give him back the life that He intends for him to enjoy! Praise His Holy Name!

My sister, do you ever feel that you’re fighting a battle? Of course you do, that’s the reason our Father provided armour to protect us and defeat the enemy! All of the armour He gives us is defensive, but one; the sword of the Spirit.

The sword of the spirit is the Word of God. Speaking it, singing it, celebrating it, commanding it is an offensive weapon, meant to strike down the enemy. The Israelites spoke it, sang it, danced to it and meditated on it. Isn’t it interesting that the same weapon has been used against evil for millenia? Same God, same weapon.

When you’re afraid and feel like He isn’t in the battle for you, keep singing, keep praising! Allow your faith to be refined in the fire. It doesn’t sound like fun, but your Father loves you and is faithful. He is trustworthy!

God instructs us in many passages of the Bible to do this. I later found the song I was searching for this morning “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him, speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name, let the hearts of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually, remember the deeds which He has done, the marvels and the judgements of His mouth” (1 Chronicles 16:8-12…) 

My heart is glad and I give thanks to the Lord!  I am boasting in the Lord of His wondrous deeds so that you may be strengthened in your faith and trust in God! Lean into Him, He will never, ever let you go. Amen.

With love, your slightly shaken sister, Celeste