Believe and be established

When we thank somebody, it is usually because we are grateful for something they’ve done. Perhaps it’s for their kindness, help or maybe for their leniency when we’ve made a mistake. Whatever the reason, we usually say ‘thank you’ in response to something that has already happened. Many Christians who experience the blessing, strength and mercy of God, express their ‘thanks’ to the Lord by singing songs of praise for what He has done. However, if grateful hindsight is our sole reason for singing to the Lord, we would fall short of expressing our faith that God can and will continue to be sovereign in our lives. In this month’s ‘On That Note’, we will further consider what it means to give ‘thanks’ to the Lord. Our thanks is not only for what He has already done, but also for what He is doing, and what He will do.

King Jehoshaphat was a direct descendent of King David, and he faithfully ruled God’s nation of Judah for 25 years. One stirring account of his leadership described Judah’s battle against the sons of Moab, the sons of Ammon and the Meunites. In the second book of Chronicles, we are told ‘they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah, and you people of Jerusalem. Believe in the Lord your God, and so you shall be established. Believe His prophets, and so you shall be blessed”. And when he consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord and those who should praise the beauty of holiness as they went out before the army, and to say, “Praise [give thanks to] the Lord, for His mercy endures forever”. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, who had come against Judah. And they were defeated’. 2 Chron 20:20-22.

Jehoshaphat commanded God’s people to simply believe in Him and they were established. Surprisingly, as the encroaching armies drew near for battle, King Jehoshaphat appointed singers to lead Judah into battle, rather than soldiers. As they praised the Lord, giving thanks for His ongoing mercy, He utterly destroyed Judah’s enemies. What a song of faith! Jehoshaphat’s exhortation to sing is still our means of showing our trust in God today. Like the psalmist, we can say, ‘I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth’. Psa 89:1.

When we meet on Sundays, our rejoicing together must not only be a reflective response to what God has done. We can always do that. It’s far more telling if we can lift our voices and proclaim our faith that He will surely establish us. Often the seasons of life in which we find ourselves needing God’s power and provision the most, are the times when singing is furthest from our heart. These are the true tests of faith. Paul explained that we need to examine ourselves and prove that we are ‘in the faith’, at these times. 2 Cor 13:5. If we can stir up our belief, then we can sing with thankfulness for the wonders which God is yet to render in our lives. The psalmist captured this unique expression of faith by encouraging all people to praise God with a thankful resolve regarding His future outworking. ‘O let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You shall judge the peoples righteously and govern the nations on earth. Selah.’ Psa 67:4.

Lachlan Perrin

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Feature Articles
November 2009

The word of His grace

Where is wisdom?
-Part 2

Believe and be established

Poured out

Yes and no

The gates of righteousness

Sufficient grace

A living sacrifice

Where your
treasure is

Strong in the Lord