Lesson 85 - Elementary

Memory Verse

"Rejoice in the Lord alway:  and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Notes

Rulers Over the People

We have studies much about the Children of Israel, God's people. We learned some time ago that God did not want His people to have a king over them, as the nations that did not know God. God was their King and wanted the people to let Him lead them. But when they became dissatisfied and wanted a king, God let them have one. Do we remember the name of the first king who ruled over the Children of Israel?

Much has happened since the days of that first king " the people became divided and formed two kingdoms, called Judah and Israel. They had had many kings since the days of Saul; some of the kings were good and turned the hearts of the people to the Lord and helped them worship Him. Others were bad and led the people to worship idols instead of worshiping the true God.

A Good King

King Jehoshaphat, who was ruling Judah at the time of this lesson, was a very strong and wise man, and one who served the Lord with all his heart. He took away the idols that the people had been worshiping, and turned the hearts of the people to the Lord.

One day a message came to him that an enemy army was coming against his people. He at once did the right thing: he turned to the Lord and asked for help. He told all the people to pray, and said that God would fight the battle for them. The people came from far away to the Temple in Jerusalem, and the king stood and prayed to God. He knew that the armies, which were coming against his people were greater than his own armies. But he said to God, "Our eyes are upon thee."

"Fear Not"

The men, their wives, and the little children were gathered in the Temple, praying that the Lord would not let the enemy come and do them harm. Presently the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men, a Levite, and he told the people just which way the enemy was coming; but he also said, "The battle is not your's, but God's.... Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD." He told them to go out the next day and the Lord would be with them. Then the king and all the people worshiped the Lord, for they knew that he had heard their prayers.

Singing and Praising the Lord

Early the next morning the people started out to the battle. As they left, the king again encouraged them to believe in God. Then he appointed certain ones as singers to go out in front of the soldiers. This is the song they should sing, "Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever."

The people of Judah did not have to do any fighting; the singers sang and praised the Lord. Soon it was learned that the enemy had had a battle among themselves, and had killed one another. The Lord had caused the enemy army to be destroyed before God's people reached them. God knows just how to do everything well.

The king and his army went down to the battlefield and found so many jewels and so much money that it took three days to gather it all up and carry it home. They rejoiced and thanked the Lord for giving them the victory over their enemies that worshiped idols.

When things go wrong all around us, why not try singing praises to God? The next time something comes to us that makes us unhappy, let us lift our heart to Jesus and our voice in songs of praise. We shall soon find that the trouble will disappear. The victory won by this king and his army of soldiers and singers is not the only battle that has been won by singing. Many a Christian has learned to "sing when the clouds are hanging low" and has found that his troubles have gone away. We are told to rejoice in the Lord always. That does not mean only when everything is coming our way, but also when things are topsy-turvy.

"Stand Ye Still"

It pays to do as the Word of God tells us to do when it says, "Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD." One day a farmer was out cutting down trees. As he had almost completed sawing through the trunk of a tree, and was preparing to run to safety, he suddenly discovered the tree was falling toward him. It was too late to run; but at that moment, he looked to God and prayed. A Voice spoke to him and said, "Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD." He stood still where he was. The tree fell; but right where he was standing there was a clearing. He was surrounded by the branches of the tree, but was unhurt. The Lord had taken care of him. It pays to look to God for help and protection always. God knows just what to do when we need help and ask Him for it.

Paul and Silas

We read in the sixteenth chapter of Acts that two disciples of Jesus were cast into prison. Their feet were made fast in the stocks. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God" [ACT:16:25]). Presently there was a great earthquake and the prison was shaken and all the doors were opened and the prisoner's bands were loosed. The jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their bleeding backs and asked what he must do to be saved. When they told him to believe he did it, and he and all his family were saved and were baptized in water. Paul and Silas were set free. Another battle had been won by singing praises to God for His goodness!

Questions

1. What did the king do when he heard that the enemy was coming? [2CH:20:3];[2CH:20:4];[2CH:20:5].

2. Tell a little of his prayer to God. [2CH:20:6-12].

3. Who went ahead of the soldiers? [2CH:20:21].

4. What kind of song did they sing? [2CH:20:21].

5. Do you think that the Lord is pleased when we sing praises to Him? [PS:92:1].