As we wrap up our devotional week discussing anger, let’s pivot to worship. This week we sang, “Raise a Hallelujah” and declared God’s victory over our enemies. This is one of those worship songs where we sometimes sing with an intention to believe what we’re singing or saying more so than full confidence in the actual lyrics. I often find God nudges most in worship songs where I’m keenly aware that I am struggling with what I’m singing aloud. Before we dig into the lyrics of this song let’s dig into an historical event from the Kingdom of Judah’s history. Click the link to read the story in its entirety: 2 Chronicles 20: 1-30
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon
If you read the passage in its entirety, you like me, likely bristled at the juxtaposition of destruction and pillaging against the refrain: “His love endures forever.” While we don’t necessarily live in the same historical context, we can appreciate the fear of impending death and genocide alongside the possibility of slavery and religious oppression. God’s love, perhaps, never felt more evident than it did then. There are a handful of verses that stood out to me. I’ve bolded and underlined the words:
3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
15 [Jahaziel] said: “… This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
21 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.”22 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.
I encourage you to highlight or make note of the phrases that stand out to you as well.
I was struck by the role of worship in light of adversity. In addition to fasting, corporate worship is the primary – if not only – task required of them. As we turn to our own worship in our 2025 context(s); let’s shift to the song “Raise a Hallelujah” (see link below to take a listen now).
Similarly, I’ve pulled out three lines from the melody that resonate with me:
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Are there lines that particularly stick out to you? (see below for full lyrics)
As a singer, an oft-leaning pacifist, and likely the first person to get overtaken in any battle or apocalypse storyline; I do not feel deflated that my task is to worship – it’s the part I’d prefer to play. What I would likely do; however, is stop singing and stare in fear. The “mystery” of God’s provision and protection often propels my unbelief and I’m frozen in my lack of confidence. How do you approach adversity and worship? Are you silently waiting for God’s action, critical of his seeming delay? Can we corporately encourage each other to “sing a little louder”? How might our worship bless and encourage those around us?
As we head into a week of unknowns, let us be reminded that: the battle, and victory isn’t ours, His love really does endure forever, and that the mystery of his Kingdom plan of redemption is good.
Raise a Hallelujah|
Song by Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser, and Melissa Helser ‧ 2019
Lyrics
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
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!
I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me
I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!
Sing a little louder … Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder … Sing a little louder!
by Kris Thulson
