Even though the Feast of Tabernacles has ended, I was still thinking about the Israelites in the wilderness and how they would carry the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the very presence of God. On many occasions we see how the Ark was always in front of the people, they wanted the presence of God to lead them forward into every circumstance.
In Joshua chapters 3 and 4 we see how the Jordan River was crossed after the priests carrying the Ark stepped on the water and the waters were parted.
“Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. ” (2 Chronicles 20:15b, NAS)
In 2 Chronicles 20 we see an amazing victory of Judah over their enemies and how the worshipers went ahead of the army singing and praising, bringing the presence of the Lord with them.
“They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. ” (2 Chronicles 20:20–22, NAS)
When they were submitted to God and trusted in Him and His prophets, they succeeded. Then in Numbers 14:39-45 we read a different story where they tried to go into battle, to face their circumstances without the presence of the Lord, and without the prophet, Moses.
“But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah. ” (Numbers 14:44–45, NAS)
Time after time we see that every victory was a result of the people’s trust in the Lord and obedience to the word through the prophets, and every defeat was the result of their unbelief, lack of trust, and the disobedience to the word. Today is no different!
Let the presence of the Lord lead you today. That is what creates victory.