Our Daily Bread: Voices of FaithVoorbeeld

Battle Praise Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever. -2 Chronicles 20:21 Mahalia Jackson achieved unusual success singing gospel during a time of racial inequality in 1955. Mahalia accepted an invitation by Ralph Abernathy and Martin Luther King Jr. to sing at a Montgomery bus boycott rally. She and these leaders knew the odds were overwhelmingly against them in the war for racial equality. The battle could not be won without God. In her memoir, Mahalia recounts how hymns and other praise songs encouraged the hearts of those engaged in struggle: “It has meant so much to me that a great part of the brave fight for freedom down South now is coming from . . . the hymns and gospel songs people are singing.” When the combined troops of three nations came against Israel, King Jehoshaphat used praise songs as a battle strategy. Jehoshaphat turned to God, knowing his outnumbered army could not defeat this enemy. Through a prophet, the king learned that standing firm and signing praise was to be Israel’s only response in this war. God would fight for them, but they still had to show up to the battle. The king “appointed men to sing to the Lord . . . as they went out at the head of the army” (2 Chronicles 20:21). Many of us are facing some sort of battle, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. Though the battle rages, praise can be part of our battle strategy. The Lord goes with us in every battle. Linda Washington What battles are you facing? What past victories has God given you? How will you praise Him? Heavenly Father, thank You for Your presence. Grant me courage and strength to stand firm in my battles and sing Your praise.