Sometimes, like Job, God allows Satan to test us, and at other times, life just happens and our enemy seeks to use negative circumstances to discourage us, bring us down, and try to get us to give up and abandon our faith. For me, listening to encouraging music that points me to biblical truths lifts me up when I am battle weary. And in times of peace that same music keeps me armed for the inevitable battles to come.
This week I heard a song that was new to me. In his introductory comments about the song, the artist, Jamie Kimmett, said, "Sometimes just choosing to trust in the Lord is an act of war." I like that thought because it reminds me that dealing with any particular challenge does not depend on my efforts alone. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord your God is with you/the Mighty Warrior who saves...." I choose to trust, pray, and lean into him, but the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17:47). Kimmet sings,
"When every day is just another struggle
And every choice is an act of war
Gotta pray, gotta press on
To the prize worth fighting for"
Thankfully not all days are difficult, but when they are I just turn the music up louder. A current favorite song for me is "Raise a Hallelujah" by Bethel Music. The word "hallelujah" is an expression of worship meaning "God be praised" and this song speaks of singing "in the middle of the storm...I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody." Later in the song, he sings "hope will arise."
Just now, whether you are in the middle of a storm or strengthening yourself for the inevitable battles to come, join me in fighting the good fight by choosing to trust in the Lord, raising a hallelujah, and pressing on to the prize worth fighting for. In time, then, hope will arise!