1 Chronicles 25:1 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.

One thing jumped out at me as I read just now, and that is that the commanders of the army were involved in choosing prophets and musicians. That shows entirely different priorities from what we find in society today! David and those who worked closely with him were fully aware that they were essentially powerless without God; all their strength and victories came from Him. They knew that praising God and listening to Him were of the greatest importance. The contrast to the US military today could hardly be more stark! We have people in the upper echelons actively suppressing people of faith, even to a point that could be called persecution. The contrast between that and the situation in the Revolutionary War is graphic. Then, ministers were described as “the black-robed regiment,” and were considered essential. From that history, there is a group today, based in Virginia, that uses that name to try to encourage ministers to get involved in the cultural and spiritual warfare that is so intense right now. We have seen a few victories recently, and I personally believe the eventual victory is assured, but the battle is raging and people of faith certainly need to stand up and be counted. We need to have the attitude of David and his generals, that without God our cause is hopeless, but with Him, victory is assured.

I was never political as a young person, but as I have gotten older I have seen the huge impact leadership has on a country and on society. This world is temporal and temporary, but a lot of eternal souls are impacted by it, and I’m not to be passive. That’s not at all to say that I should have a “messiah complex,” thinking that I have to “save the world,” but it is to say that I am to be faithful in prayer, and however else the Lord chooses to use me. I am saddened to find that people who have been fairly close to me, some relatives even, are on the other side of the fence on numbers of issues, and I wonder how they could be so deceived. I am to walk in humility and faithfulness, never attacking people as people, but never deviating from God’s truth, His standards. I am to remember that “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12) I need to be sure I’m on the side of the forces of heaven!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me remember that what we do in the service today is indeed spiritual warfare, and that the forces of evil tremble when we praise and worship You. Today is a packed schedule, with the morning service, then decorating the building, and then the Thanksgiving dinner and service. I pray that everything we do today would be exactly what You desire and intend, accomplishing both in hearts and lives and in the unseen realms exactly what You intend, for the sake of Your kingdom and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!