The Chant of remembrance
Our wars never seem to seize. Each day is a new battle that need to be fought with varying weapons; a type of trial and error. And, some battles at the end of the day seem to be have lost; that is we feel as we have lost that battle. Most of us while in bed or in prayer will evaluate the why’s of losing that battle, and most of the times we blame our selves. As believers and followers of Jesus Christ we must remember that the battle has been won already. Isaiah tells us that the warrior’s garment will be used for fuel of the fire, meaning that he no longer will have to fight (Is9:5). We do not know why battles come and how they do not become any easier as time passes, but when we turn them over to the Lord he deals with them victoriously. For instance, in the times of king Jehoshaphat three kings decided to come against him and his people and drive them out of their land. Jehoshaphat could have left the land God had given him, or hired other kings to help with the battle, but instead he listened to the prophet and turned it over to God (2Ch20:15). There is no battle that God can not win nor that he lost. His track record for victory is without count. One thing is for sure that all his victories he share with his people (1Co15:57, 1Jh5:4)
Psalms 124:1-5
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: 3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: 4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: 5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
So, it is time that we recollect, that we remember all those times God came through for us and made us experience victory. David remanence on those days when God delivered him out of all his trouble, he took the time to think and encourage himself in God (ps143:5). In the instance mentioned above in the Psalms 124 he encourages Israel to say, maybe in a chant way ” If it had not been for the Lord who was on our side”; leading them to recollect those times when they were rescued. This moment was a very difficult one for the people probable it was the time when David’s house was in turmoil with Absalom trying to take the kingdom from his father. The hardest battle we face in our lives is with our families. They tend to affect every part of our soul and hurt us. David describes the effects of these deep battles as streams of water going over our soul; as your soul is drowning. He also compares this effect of the soul in battle as a lion tearing it in pieces (Ps7:1-2). The call to remember who is on our side in those times of tumultuous battles is found in the chant “now may Israel say…” The apostle Paul tells us “If God is for us who can be against us” (Ro8:31). David said that God will not abandon your soul (ps16:10). Situations could be worst in times of battles, if the Lord weren’t on our side.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
2 Chronicles 20:15
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:4
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Psalms 143:5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
Psalms 7:1-2
Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, 2 or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
Romans 8:13
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalms 16:10
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithfula] one see decay.