Almost one million soldiers gathered to fight that day and more than half of them would lose their lives. Those faithful to God who used their weapons of worship would prevail. It was 913 BC. King Abijah of Judah, declares war against King Jeroboam of Israel. King Abijah, with 400,000 soldiers, confronted King Jeroboam who had 800,000 elite and brave troops.
Abijah, Solomon’s grandson, stood on Mt Zemaraim in the highlands of Ephraim, north of Jerusalem, and shouted “Do you think you can stand against the kingdom of God led by the descendants of David and win even with your vast army? We have not abandoned God and worship Him morning and evening. God’s priests blow trumpets and lead us into battle.” (2 Chronograph 13:8 NLT)
"Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude,
for the battle is not yours, but God's" 2 Chronicles 20:15
In Judah at the time there were numbers of faithful and devout worshippers. King Abijah was not personally faithful to the Lord. Yet, he encouraged himself from the faith of his people. The priests and Levites were faithful in offering the morning and evening sacrifices in worship to God.
While Abijah was reasoning with King Jeroboam, Israel’s army secretly took positions behind Judah's army to ambush them. When Abijah realized they were about to be attacked from the front and the rear, they cried out to the Lord for help. Confident of victory the priests blew trumpets announcing God is with us. Judah began to shout in victory. (NLT)
“As the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.” (NKJV). A half a million choice troops of Israel were killed that day because Judah trusted in the Lord, blew trumpets and shouted praise. There is no record in scripture of so many being killed in a battle as that day. This was an amazing victory. Idolatrous and immoral Jeroboam escaped the sword of Abijah, but God later struck him down. There is no escaping God's sword.
In their distress, when danger was on every side, Judah looked upward for deliverance. They cried unto the Lord in earnest prayer and shouted praise, becoming more than conquerors. God did a miracle that day and defeated an overwhelming and intimidating enemy as Judah praised God. the Bible says “AS the men of Judah shouted, IT HAPPENED” God struck the enemy.
This is an inspiration for us to follow. When we are surrounded by overwhelming circumstances or when surrounded by enemies trying to defeat and destroy us, we must rely on the Lord. We should follow Judah’s example; look up to God for help, lift our voice in prayer and praise. Then AS we shout in victory God will fight.
Remember your enemies are spiritual, not natural, and so you must fight them in the spiritual realm. Like the detergent Shout encourages users to 'shout it out,' I encourage you when assaulted and stained by your enemy 'shout it out.’ As Jericho was defeated with trumpets and shouts of faith, so today God can move when we shout in victory. It makes no sense to our natural mind but it is an effective weapon of worship in God’s kingdom. You shout in faith, God defeats the enemy. God conquerors and you become more than a conqueror.
What circumstances are you facing this week? What attacks are you experiencing? Look up! Cry out to God in prayer and when God says shout, shout it out! There are victories ahead for you. Judah prevailed because they relied on the Lord. Be encouraged! Trust in God. The battle is not yours but the Lord’s. He will prevail on your behalf becomes He is good and loves you so deeply.
EVERY BATTLE - Gateway Worship - Rita Springer