Playlist: Fight Songs — Monday
Joshua 6:4-5
”Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing their trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” (NIV)
Happy Labor Day! I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the extended holiday weekend!
Rachel Platten’s hit “Fight Song” was one of the most well-known anthems of 2015, but did you know that she never actually intended for anyone to hear the song? In an interview with ABC News, Platten said, “When I wrote 'Fight Song,' I was in a particular low point. I needed to remind myself to not give up, that I still believed in myself and that I still had fight left. I didn't intend to write it, you know, for the world to hear to be honest. I wrote it 'cause I needed it. And I wrote it 'cause I needed that reminder and I needed hope.”
Rachel said it well. Fight songs give us hope.
We find several fight songs in scripture, but none more iconic than the one played by the priestly trumpeters in the battle of Jericho. At this point in the story of the Israelites, the fortified city of Jericho was one of the few obstacles standing between the Israelites and the land God had promised them. With no way for them to penetrate the walls of the fortress, God gives them the instructions we read in our verse today. His instructions weren’t some sort of cutting-edge military strategy that the Israelites may have expected or preferred. No, God tells them to grab some trumpets, march around the city, and play a fight song.
With a renewed sense of hope, they lived out their faith in God by being obedient to his commands, and eventually, the walls came down and the battle was won. Not only were the Israelites willing to carry out God’s plan for His people, but their praise preceded God’s provision. They fought with worship, and it won them the war.
Monday’s Reflection
Fight songs are powerful, especially those that cause us to consider the God that we serve and the people He has called us to be. Cody Carnes’ song “Run to the Father” reminds me of God’s ability to do what I could never do on my own. What a powerful reminder!
Is there a worship song that has served as a fight song for you in the past? Listen to it today, and let the lyrics be your prayer for whatever you are facing today.