Praise Brings the Victory

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Family,

I hope you're all doing well. As I clicked each of your email addresses this morning, special fond thoughts of each of you flooded my mind!!!

Jeannie, how I miss our wonderful days of friendship at Guilford Child Health! Remember all those huge teas you brought me from Chick Fillet?  Joan, how many cherished times we had together at Carolina Christian Academy!!  Dear Treasures, we'll never forget those few precious days at the old home-place in the Catskills!! Each of you wonderful friends hold a special place in the memory bank of my heart!!

This morning, I sit by the window and watch the sun rise. In the faint morning glow, cardinals and chickadees enjoy their breakfast placed in the maple tree. Such beauty, another day to live for Jesus!! How good he is to me.

This week marked my 61st birthday, and next month marks our 40th anniversary!  How did I get here so quickly? I feel so young at heart!

Today I continued my reading in II Kings and then turned to II Chronicles for chronological reading. Good King Jehoshaphat was facing a major invasion and possible annihilation. Alarmed, King Jehoshaphat resolved to seek the Lord.  The people joined him in fasting and prayer. King Jehoshaphat addressed his people with a speech that ended with this prayer, "Lord, we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We don't not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

The prophet reminded the King and the people that, "the battle is not yours, but God's. you will not have to fight this battle. Just take your positions and STAND FIRM!"

Sooooo what did King Jehoshaphat do?  Something a bit unusual. He appointed men to go ahead of the army, who AS THEY WENT, sang and praised God for the splendor ofHis Holiness!  Whooo hoo.........   God caused the enemy forces to self-destruct!! And the Israelite army joyfully returned to Jerusalem, praising God and rejoicing over their defeated enemies!!

Okay! Time out!!! I feel my well over flowing!!!!  Do I have some situations in my life that appear to be overwhelming me?  I feel as King Jehosphaphat did! Lord, I don't know what to do, but my EYES ARE UPON you!!  Do I have the answer, No! Am I a bit frightened, yes! Do some of these burdens seem so heavy, yes!  Is my heart breaking, yes!!  BUT, MY EYES ARE UPON YOU!

I am reminded too, that the battle isn't mine! It's the Lord's!  I need to stand still, hold steady, believe, obey, and remain faithful!

But that's not all....  I need to march ahead of the array with a heart filled with praise to God for the splendor of His Holiness, for His unchangeable sufficiency, for His constant steady guidance, for His proven love!!!

Today, Father, I bow my heart before you. I give you my burdens. I gaze upon Your face.  I hide in Your Word.  And I sing praises to you!!!

Have a blessed day....give it all to Jesus!

Linda

There's more with us, than be with them

Lord, open our eyes to see.

The mountains around, with chariots abound...

We're trusting, our Lord, in Thee!!

The Devil may boost and marshall his host

And march in battle array..

With Christ in the lead, we're sure to succeed

We're certain to win the day!!