“I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me”
Raise a Hallelujah, Jonathan and Melissa Helser
“15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! (Ruwa) For the Lord has given you the city!”
Joshua 6:15-16:
The word used for shout here in verse 16 (RUWA) implies – more than anything else – a shout of triumph or joy – especially in the Psalms where it is most often translated as joyful noise or triumph – eg. Psalm 47:1, 66:1, 81:1, 95:1-2, 98:4-6.
Ruwa is a joyful noise – it is a call to arms and a war cry – but one at which the very Heavens are mobilised.
As in the story of Joshua and the fall of Jericho when the people of Israel blew their shofars and cried their cry of joyful triumph (RUWA) the Hand of God reached down and knocked down the legendary walls of this ancient city.
We read in 2 Chronicles 20 that a great army rose up against Judah – the Ammonites, the Moabites and their auxiliaries banded together and formed a formidable enemy.
In the face of this threat the Spirit of the Lord speaks through Jahaziel and in verse 17 we read: ”17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
Keeping the faith the people praised God in the face of their adversity. The Bible tells us that they sang together – the ‘worship team’ at the front of the procession – in a LOUD VOICE:
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for His love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:20-23)
On that day the Lord and His angel armies fought on behalf of His children.
In the New Testament Paul gives us this advice in his letter to the Philippians: ”4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil4:4-7:)
Jesus climbed that lonely hill, the place of the skull, Golgotha to tear up the death warrant that our sin had issued against us. On that day the Warrior-King of Heaven climbed the mountain of our condemnation and struck a fatal blow to death itself.
As Augustine said: “He endured death as a lamb; He devoured it as a lion.“
And on that cross where the God of Creation, stepped down from His throne and robed in flesh, became our salvation He cried: IT IS FINISHED.
Today we rest in the finished work of Christ. Our warfare is not so much the fighting for victory – but the standing strong in victory.
Do we struggle with temptation, habitual sin or even addiction?
Is our struggle grief, sorrow and mental malady?
Do we struggle with infirmity and illness?
Is our struggle fear and insecurity?
Rejoice in the Lord, take it to Him in prayer and petition with thanksgiving… and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Cry out to the Lord with joy and triumph knowing that He hears You, and He loves You – with the assurance that He is the One who fights for You!
In the face of our enemy we weaponize the melody of our praise – we shout louder than the unbelief – PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!
As He has been – so He will be. Our Rock. Our Shield. Our Strong Tower in which we find refuge from the storms of life.
As He has been so He will be. Mighty God. Conqueror. Prince of Peace. Everlasting Father – our Victory.
Prayer: Lord, today I raise a Hallelujah! I shout, let God be praised for His mercy endures forever. As You have been so You will be. I declare today that there is victory in the name of Jesus. I thank You Lord that I can stand strong in You, with You as my foundation. I thank You Lord that You fight for me – on my behalf. In every struggle and in every storm You are right there by my side. Thank You Lord that I don’t have to face these things alone, but that I can rest in the knowledge that You have already worked the victory. Help me rest in You today. Let Your peace – that peace that surpasses all understanding – guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus today. In Your Mighty Name. Amen.