Rak-Chazak: An Ancient War Cry
WRITTEN BY A REAL PERSON
There is this point we come to at various crossroads in our lives where we need to reach down deep, even beyond ourselves. That place where a guttural cry rips out of the soul to push past what feels like a breaking point.
Yet…at the point where courage fails, and hope is fading, with one last huzzah!, we release a cry that can only come from such a place. It’s the kind of cry that suddenly sparks resolve in the one who is releasing it and fear in the ears of those who hear it. Because that cry is the no-holds-barred release of faith that pushes past the natural mindset and abilities, tapping into the spiritual realm. For those of faith in God, it grasps His strength, pushing past what we can imagine.
This type of cry is one of resolution; with nothing to lose, our confidence moves from ourselves and into Greater Hands. In Ancient times, the Hebrews would cry out, “Rak-Chazak!” (“All strength and courage for the glory of God”), and in response, others would respond, “Chazak Amatz!” (“All strength for Him in the face of sure death”), or Rak-Chazak Amatz!
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Steve Rees, whom I interviewed in Issue No. 10: In Pursuit of Peace, interprets Rak Chazak as an Audacious Certainty of Success.
TheGodBlog.com explains it as a “heavenly audacity, it’s rushing headlong into the most hazardous and impossible battles without pausing to consider the impossibilities, knowing that God has given His enemies into our hands and we know that we will not lose.”
Eric Ludy explains it as “the ‘oomph’ of a spiritually zealous heart while possessing a resolute and growling resolve for the glory of God”.
Think of it as a righteous haiku or the loud war cry at the final push of battle.
Either way, sometimes, when we get to feeling terribly low or discouraged, we need to stand up and shout, “Rak-Chazak!” to shake off discouragement and remind our soul (and the enemy of our soul!) that there is still a righteous fervor inside of us crying out for the strength of God to come and fight for us! A cry that shifts our trust from our own strength into His.
My friend, we all have moments when we need to grab hold of a heavenly audacity to pull us out of a pit and push us forward! To be strong and have courage. I am only just now learning of this concept, so I may not have a full grasp of the true meaning, but this is what I gleaned from it in the middle of my own place of crying out for strength. Let me encourage you to do your own digging and research behind Rak Chazak Amatz, asking the Holy Spirit to give you understanding, particularly for your life.
PRAYER OF RESPONSE
Father, learning about Rak-Chazak reminds me of the battle roar you commanded the Israelites to release as they marched around Jericho. I’m also reminded of the deep cry of a forlorn mother’s grief or the resolve of men standing their ground as enemies threaten to encroach on their territory, threatening the lives of their families. Too often, I remain silent and passive, giving up victories you had destined for me or hesitating to cry out for the help I desperately need. Help me to open my mouth and press into not a resolve of my own making, but out of the audacity of taking You at Your Word: a place of declaring with deep conviction and resolve that Your grace IS sufficient for me, Your strength IS made perfect in my weakness, and that You DO fight for me! Help me to take on a spirit of boldness and to take You at Your Word when You say, “Be Strong and Courageous!”
In the majestic name of Yeshua. Amen.
Suggested reading:
In Pursuit of Peace
$27
Magazine (bookazine) edition No. 10 on finding peace. Featuring calming harpist Steve Rees, solo adventurer Beth Binger, artist Codye Reystead, and so much more.
