An attitude of gratitude in the face of evil, injustice or adversity isn’t always the easiest to keep. Regarding gratitude, the Bible is very emphatic about its crucial role in the strengthening of our faith. According to science, also, gratitude plays a vital role in our mental health.

After every victory the people of God experienced in the Old Testament; they would praise the Lord, sing, and rejoice. Sounds like a normal display of gratitude, right? You ask for a miracle, experience the miracle, and then thank the Lord for the miracle. However, one specific battle has always caught my attention because it teaches different outlook on gratitude.

King Josaphat and his people were going to face the Moabites and the Ammonites in war. However, they were scared. God told them not to be afraid and gave them a very specific and unusual instruction: “Don’t fight; be still.”

Wait a second, did God really say: “Don’t fight; be still”?

I don’t know about you, but when I see people doing wrong to other people or just being plain evil my instinct is to put them in their place and give them what they deserve, without even thinking! But that is not how God operates. He knows, that if we throw ourselves headfirst blinded with anger and thirst for revenge to put “evil in its place” we run the risk of becoming evil ourselves, a risk He himself doesn’t have to worry about.

God will always be better qualified than us to put evil in its place, give evil what it deserves, and take justice in His hands. Because when He does, He does it so much more efficiently. Now, that doesn’t mean we are to ignore evil. It means that every time we stand up against it, we let Him step in front of us and do His thing. We let God be God.

When God gives King Josaphat this unusual instruction, the king and the rest of the people start praising the Lord, singing to Him, and worshiping. They show an attitude of gratitude before they even experience the victory they were expecting. The worshiping and the singing went on through the night, the following morning, and even as they were walking into battle.

As they praised the Lord and walked into battle, God confused their enemies and made them attack each other. King Josaphat and his people were spared. All they had to do was be still and praise God! Everything fell into place when they focused on praising God for His goodness.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The people of Judah chose to be grateful. Not just after being delivered, but also before. When they chose to praise The Lord, He took care of their enemies, and they came out victorious. 

Do you choose to be grateful every day?

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