“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Ps 32:7 NIV)

It had been a rainy day all the way from Hampton Falls, New Hampshire to Pownal in Vermont. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop us from visiting some of the amazing covered bridges in the region.

When we arrived at our campsite however, the storm had picked up. The winds were fierce, to the point that we began to wonder if we were even safe in our tent trailer. As we were shaken left and right by the velocity of the wind, our door had to be ductaped and attached with a rope in order to prevent it from being blown open. We felt like we were in a washing machine, being shaken around with water pouring down from all sides. Others would have said it sounded more like a war where the gloomy storm had more in its mind than a rough shake-up.

“How will we ever sleep?” I wondered out loud.

“God will help us sleep,” responded my wife.

She was so right! I worry way too much about things I don’t need to worry about.

I was reminded of Jehosaphat who had to confront a vast army from Edom. He, too, had good reason to worry. But our faithful Heavenly Faith told him: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron 20:15-16 NIV)

Why do we always think that it’s our battle to fight? Here I was in a shaky tent trailer, and I am thinking about what I should do to prevent it from tipping over. But it wasn’t my battle! It was the Lord’s!

You know what the Israelites did right after that message from God? They sang to the glory of God!

“Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.” (2 Chron 20:19 NIV)

All worrying evaporated, for after all, the battle was NOT theirs, but the Lord’s!

When confronting their enemy the next day, they did the same thing: they sang praises to God. Although they were outnumbered, they became fearless. Why? Because they realized that the battle was God’s, not theirs!

“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”” (2 Chron 20:21-22 NIV)

The results were outstanding: they didn’t have to lift a single finger! They were saved by God’s power, and God’s power alone!

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” (2 Chron 20: 23 NIV)

And in the midst of that storm, I realized God would do the same for us. I lay down on my shuddering bed, opened my Bible and worshipped the Lord. Peace flooded my soul. I then listened to my I-Pod and joined in singing God’s praises. I was calm and completely relaxed.

Although I am generally a light sleeper (any noise will wake me up!), that night I slept like a bear in hibernation. I didn’t even realize that our tent trailer door opened up on several occasions during the night, nor did I feel any trembling at all. I was fast asleep until morning. That is a miracle in itself! Although disaster was all around us, we went through unsquashed. The battle truly was the Lord’s!

Are you facing an impossible situation? Maybe you lost your job, a loved one may have left you, or a nasty disease is ravaging someone you love … Don’t despair. The battle is not yours. It’s God’s. Instead of worrying needlessly, take comfort that God will come through for you. He has never left you.

Instead join me and sing to the top of your lungs. Sing so that everyone around you can hear. Praise God’s name. And watch patiently to what He has planned for you. It will be amazing!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “The Heart of the Matter” devotional series, please click here.)