Another thought about those Philistines (from yesterday’s post).  One of the things I do sometimes when I’m under attack is to sing–especially small songs, little ditties I’ve learned over the years like “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever” or “I am my Beloved’s and His is mine, His banner over me is love” or “I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice”.   It helps us to forget the Enemy and that is a very effective strategy against him.  As Amy Carmichael says:

The reason why singing is such a splendid shield against the fiery darts of the devil is that it greatly helps us to forget him, and he cannot endure being forgotten.  He likes us to be occupied with him, what he is doing (our temptations), with his victories (our falls), with anything but our glorious Lord.  So sing.  Never be afraid of singing too much.  We are much more likely to sing too little.

But what if you can’t even think of something to sing or your soul is too heavy?  Not to worry.  Your grief, your sorrow, your heaviness can become a song to Him, a sacred lament.  Sing to Him of it.  “Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept, until they had no more strength to weep. (1 Sam. 30:4)  And what if you feel that you can’t even do that?  Take heart. Just turn to your Beloved and ask His Holy Spirit to sing through you, for you are His song, you know.