“Wake up, Drusil! Wake up, wake up!” Micaha’s voice was adamant.
Drusil rubbed her eyes and sat up on her cot. “What do you want? What’s so urgent!”
“A huge enemy army has gathered against Israel. The King wants everyone to gather in the courtyard to pray for the safety of our country.”
The two ran to the courtyard where a large crowd was gathering. They were told to “hush” as King Jehoshaphat was praying a public prayer to ask help from the Lord for a victory in a battle against impossible odds.
“Oh, Lord won’t You judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us, nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
When King Jehoshaphat had finished his prayer, Jahaziel, the prophet, began to speak, “Thus says the Lord to you. Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude for the battle is not yours but God’s. ..You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them for the Lord is with you.”
Upon hearing that victory was promised, King Jehoshaphat humbled himself before the Lord with his face to the ground, and Micaha and Drusil along with the other subjects of the kingdom bowed and worshiped the Lord. Then all stood and raised their arms to enthusiastically praise the Lord.
The next morning, Drusil and Micaha were among the first to arrive at the courtyard. The singers from among the Levites were being organized into rows, first sopranos in the first row, second sopranos behind them, then the altos, tenors, baritones, and bases. Drusil and Micaha were second sopranos so they took their positions behind the first row. Assuming that the singers had been organized to perform for the big victory celebration that was sure to come, Drusil was glad that she could see around the girl in front of her.
After a few minutes, Drusil and Micaha looked around. “Where were Israel’s soldiers?” Finally, they spotted them a few hundred feet behind the last row of singers. What a rag-tag group they were! They had assorted weapons, and their shields and armor were worn and mismatched. Even their lines were not straight.
Micaha got the realization first. “We are going to lead the entire procession into battle!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and fear.
Just then the enemy forces came into view. This army marched in perfect rhythm, their movements synchronized. Their matching armor was polished. Their shields were held to protect their chests and faces, their spears ready for attack. The girls couldn’t even see the end of the multitude.
“Wow!” breathed Drusil. What a murderous-looking mass!” She tried to hide behind the girl in front of her as they moved forward to encounter the Ammonites and Moabites.
At the blast from the ram’s horn, they began to sing the song they had rehearsed, “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever! Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever!”
Drusil forgot about the prophecy given the previous day that had promised victory. All she could think about was the obvious peril she was in. Drusil was not afraid to die. She believed that her God would provide the sacrifice to atone for her sins and give her eternal life, but the thought of one of those spears puncturing her body causing her to bleed out in terrible pain terrified her!! Her voice became a whisper.
Then Drusil began to think about the words that she was singing: “The Lord’s mercy endures forever!” She remembered how often her Lord had shown her mercy, mercy that she did not deserve. Suddenly courage fell upon her. If she was to die, she would do so boldly. She would give her all. Her voice grew stronger. She turned and smiled at Micaha, who smiled back and joined her in praise. Their courageous spirit was picked up by their section, then by the first sopranos in front of them and finally by the whole chorus! “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever. Because of Your mercy, we know that you are pleased to give us victory, and our enemy will not have his way. Praise to the Lord, the God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.” (Psalm 41:10-13)
As the singers advanced, Drusil noticed that the soldiers seemed confused, being met in this way by singers victoriously praising their God. They hesitated. As they did so, the rows behind them began to pile up. Next the sides and back of phalanx began to mysteriously fall to the ground. Soon the entire army was in disarray and in full retreat. The whole enemy multitude was vanquished. Praise had Won the Day! Hurrah!
Taken from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 and Psalm 41:10-13.
clouds of change 