To “raise a hallelujah” doesn’t necessarily mean to sing. It means to praise God for who He is. It is an attitude, an ethos.
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
Who or what would you describe as an enemy? Think outside the box. When David wrote “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies” in Psalm 23:5, he was speaking of literal people out to kill him. But really there is one capital “E” Enemy, Satan. But there are often lower-case “e” enemies that we must battle in our own lives. Identify those. Write them down. Pray over them.
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
Read Mark 9:14-29. Ponder this quote from Charles Spurgeon. “While men have no faith, they are unconscious of their unbelief; but, as soon as they get a little faith, then they begin to be conscious of the greatness of their unbelief.” Don’t let the presence of unbelief make you think that you have no faith, but use it as a sign that you do, and ask God to grow that faith in you.
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me
This reminds me of the Israelites bringing down the wall of Jericho with a shout (see Joshua 6). It wasn’t the walking around the walls or the shout that brought the walls down. It was their faithfulness to the words of God. Remember who is fighting the battle for you. You are not called to fight in your own strength.
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Sometimes we find that as the storm gets heavier, our fear rises and drowns out the voice of the Lord. Or as the depression gets deeper, we just don’t feel like praising very much. But those are the times our praise needs to be the loudest. His promises remain. 1 Corinthians 1:20 says “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” Listen to Yes and Amen on the playlist. Trust that His promises are true and good.
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive
In this time of preparation for Easter, remember that the death and resurrection of Jesus not only gives us hope for our eternal future, but serves as a reminder for today that out of the remnants of a broken situation, new life will form. Hope is always present. Christ defeated death and is alive. And as a result, He has power over all our circumstances if we call on Him.
I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me
When questioned about the greatest commandment, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37
I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee
John 1:4-5 says “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
“Even when I don’t see, I still believe” – Jeremy Camp
I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me
Is prayer and praise the first place you go when you are afraid? Try it and see the difference it makes
Sing a little louder
In the presence of my enemies
Sing a little louder
Louder than the unbelief
Sing a little louder
My weapon is a melody
Sing a little louder
Heaven comes to fight for me
Sing a little louder. You don’t have to have it all figured out at once. You’re not going to succeed all the time. But every journey starts with a single step. Our faith journey is no different. So one time this week when you are feeling afraid, go to the Lord in prayer instead of into a distraction. One time when you are experiencing doubt, go to the Word instead of into your head. A choir of little voices, when they come together, make a loud chorus.
Jeremy