Facing the Battle

<p>Not long ago I met up with a group of friends. As I listened to the conversation, it seemed like <em>everyone</em> in the room was facing some significant battle. Two of us had parents fighting cancer, one had a child with an eating disorder, another friend was experiencing chronic pain, and another was facing major surgery. It seemed a lot for a bunch of people in their thirties and forties.</p> <p>First Chronicles 16 recounts a key moment in Israel&rsquo;s history when the ark of the covenant was brought into the City of David (Jerusalem). Samuel tells us it happened in a moment of peace between battles (2 Samuel 7:1). When the ark was in place, symbolizing God&rsquo;s presence, David led the people in a song (1 Chronicles 16:8&ndash;36). Together the nation sang of God&rsquo;s wonder-working power (vv. 12&ndash;14), His promise-keeping ways (vv. 15&ndash;18), and His past protection (vv. 19&ndash;22). &ldquo;Look to the LORD and his strength,&rdquo; they cried out, &ldquo;seek his face always&rdquo; (v. 11). They&rsquo;d need to, because more battles were coming.</p> <p>Look to the Lord and His strength. Seek His face. That&rsquo;s not bad advice to follow when illness, family concerns, and other battles confront us, because we haven&rsquo;t been left to fight in our own waning energies. God is present; God is strong; He&rsquo;s looked after us in the past and will do so again.</p> <p>Our God will get us through. </p>