My Paisley Chair

Have you ever mistaken a battle cry for a lullaby? Of course not! Probably not. Well … maybe sometimes.

I’ve never heard a real “battle cry” or been in a military war zone. The closest thing to a battle cry I’ve heard is a storm warning system. When I hear one of those alarms, all sorts of reactions immediately occur. A sense of urgency sets into motion the automatic self-defense mechanisms that are well practiced and at the ready. Immediately I assess the situation and consider the options. Depending on the circumstance I need to recognize strengths, strategies and weaknesses that might leave me vulnerable.

There’s only so much information that can be relayed in a blaring alarm or call to action. In an instant I need to know whether to hunker down or prepare to evacuate. It is necessary to quickly identify the timing of the threat! To live in a constant state of ready (Gulf coast hurricane season = May through September) can be exhausting – always on alert, aware of surroundings, cautious, concerned and consumed.

The Big IF

If I trust that the alarm will not be issued unless and until it is necessary, a certain calm resides in my heart and mind, even in a state of readiness. That solace of soul untangles thoughts of calamity to the well trained and properly equipped. There is amazing comfort that comes from not being in control of everything and everyone all the time! Can I get an “Amen”?

There is no rest for the vigilant unless … there is trust in the “Person in Charge”.

Scripture says I am continually surrounded with “songs of deliverance”. Those songs can either be a lullaby providing comfort and rest or a battle cry initiating action. I wonder … will I recognize the difference? I sure hope so. I can trust the Commander of the Host of Heaven to awaken and alert me with a battle cry loud enough to break through the noise of life when necessary. However, when a lullaby is appropriate, He is trustworthy to soothe my troubled heart and mind with a sweet lullaby that seeps into my soul as softly as a whisper.

Rest & Readiness are both powerful weapons!

It is imperative to know the difference between a call to action and an invitation to rest!

There are times to rally the troops and times to settle down! Since I am surrounded with songs of deliverance, my desire is to awaken to the battle cry and sleep through a storm with the lullaby. I must be battle ready, trained in the weapons of spiritual warfare, know the strategy of the enemy and then rest in the fact that the Captain of the Host of Heaven stands watch. I am safe in His care, and He will determine which song to sing.

This captured my attention as I was considering Mary’s Magnificat. (Luke 1:46-55)

I have often thought of this as a lullaby. A soft admiration for the Child King, affirmation of a God of love that cares for His people, acceptance of a lowly estate, and anticipation of future peace. The song is filled with statements about what God has done in the past. Sweetly sung in a silent holy night, anyone might easily interpret this melody of heart as a lullaby. By nature, lullabies are intended to bring comfort and respite to the weary and calm to the restless. Often by way of remembrance of the precious promises of God, I am comforted.  

Silence was Shattered!

The angelic visitation and the Word of the Lord came after many years of silence from heaven. The words spoken to Mary that her child would “sit on the throne of His father David, reign over the house of Jacob, and of His kingdom there will be no end” was anything but a lullaby!

Mary instinctively applied these words to her current situation. She understood the good news of the message – emancipation from the oppressive ruling powers. The anticipation of everything changing because prophetic promises being fulfilled was her call to action! The poor, the prisoner and captive recognize what a difference the coming of a righteous King will make in their lives. The announcement of freedom is truly “Glad tidings of great joy”. Overthrow is on the horizon!

Mary’s song calls to mind the times God had overthrown earthly kingdoms. I imagine her song was not quiet or sweet but filled with passion and sung at the top of her lungs. These were not the words of a mild-mannered maiden. Quite possibly the song included words influenced by militant Maccabees who fought for freedom from oppressive governing powers. Words of this nature are crafted to rally troops in the midst of warfare and meant to encourage bravery and stamina for a fight to the death.

How would Mary have known these words of revolt and revolution were not directed at earthly kingdoms? Her words were a declaration of war and celebration of promised victory to the universal, spiritual, and eternal kingdom of God Almighty! Can any of us really know the total upheaval of the universe caused by the coming of Christ as a baby?

Are there songs that can be both a lullaby and a battle cry?

Absolutely! The Magnificat brought both comfort and a call to action. The hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness is one of my favorites.

Depending on the circumstance, I sing this song as a declaration of the fact that all my life God has been faithfully watching over me. “Morning by morning, new mercy I see.” This gentle reminder sung in soft whispers comfort me. He shepherds me well and keeps my feet from stumbling. “All I have needed Thy hand has provided. Great is Thy faithfulness unto me.”

On other occasions I sing this as a battle cry with my hands lifted high and at the top of my lungs, putting on notice the enemy of my soul that God has never failed and never will. He has not missed a single detail, has never been caught off guard and He stands ready to fulfill His promise of victory. “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Thine own dear Presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow…” Even when I’m armored up and going into battle I can be at peace and have rest in my soul with the confidence that my Commander has already declared victory!

Questions I ask myself:

• What is the song currently being sung over me?
• Do I trust the sovereignty of God Almighty with the outcome?
• Will I recognize when God is calling me to armor up and fight? Can I be at peace during battles that He instructs me to stand still, be at rest and watch Him deliver? action and the invitation to rest?
• Am I spiritually ready, trained in the armor, aware of the enemy’s tactics, and in step with my Commander?
• Have I received restorative rest while God restores my soul by being still and letting the melodies of heaven wash over me?
• Are readiness and rest possible at the same time?
• What song am I singing in response?

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You that I am surrounded with songs of deliverance. Deliverance from exhaustion with lullabies quieting my soul. Deliverance from fear and fret with battle cries that set the course toward victory and instill courage. Thank You that the songs are selected and directed by You according to the best plan for my life. I trust You to capture my attention with the song appropriate for the season, loud enough to drown out the noise of life and soft enough to cause me to lean in. Give me wisdom to recognize both the call to action and the call to rest and respond accordingly.

What does the Bible say? (scripture references)

Psalm 32: 7 “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”

Psalm 131:1-2 “LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely, I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

Luke 1:30-33 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Luke 1:46-55 “And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior, for he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is unto generations and generations on them that fear him.

He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath put down princes from their thrones, and hath exalted them of low degree. The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath given help to Israel his servant, that he might remember mercy (As he spoke unto our fathers) Toward Abraham and his seed forever.”

Ex 14:13 and 2 Chron 20:17 “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you.”

Eph 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Until next time…

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