Let's Talk about the Blessing of Praise

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So in the last post, I talked about the importance of praise in the midst of the battle. That's the theme of 2 Chronicles 20 as Jehoshaphat and the nation saw God fight for them. They need only to stand and see the salvation of God. Their participation would be worship. Worship can change the dynamic of your life, the atmosphere of your life. But the story of 2 Chronicles 20 is not done with the war being won. When the king and the people go into the enemy camp they are overwhelmed by the spoil of the war:

2 Chronicles 20:25 (ESV) When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.

They spent three days gathering the spoil of war from their enemies. Think of how much this would have been. God not only gave them victory, but He also poured out prosperity. This is the not-so-talked-about message of 2 Chronicles 20. God wants to give His people victory AND prosperity.

We don't like to talk about this part of the chapter because we tend to think riches are evil. But they are not. The love of riches can lead to evil but there is nothing inherently wrong with wealth. We also tend to think that all God wants for us is spiritual victory and not material prosperity. But again, why would this be the case? God is a good and generous Father who pours out blessings on the righteous and the unrighteous. We need to get over our avoidance mentality about prosperity and understand the Lord's goodness is displayed in His generosity toward us. 

2 Chronicles 20:26–27 (ESV) On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.

I love that they assembled after the gathering of the spoil. This for me is a picture of Sunday worship for the Church. We gather in an assembly to rejoice for the good God has done in our lives that week. Beracah means "blessing". That is what our gatherings are - a blessing. 

2 Chronicles 20:28 (ESV) They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD.

I get so out of sorts when I'm not with the people of God on a regular basis. Why? Because I know that old sin nature will rear its ugly head and do all the talking in my mind if I don't listen to someone else talk to me about the goodness of God. 

Notice what it says in verses 29-30:

2 Chronicles 20:29–30 (ESV) And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

The other nations saw God at work among his people and they were put to silence. What a picture of our worship. It silences those who would attack our faith. Christians, instead of getting into heated arguments with unbelievers, let us turn our attention to the Lord and worship Him! We need not defend Him, we need simply to trust and love Him!

But Jehoshaphat's reign ends with a warning. As many victories as he saw and as much prosperity he experienced, he failed to completely wipe out the idolatrous objects of Israel:

2 Chronicles 20:32–33 (ESV) He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD. 33 The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.

Later it reads:

2 Chronicles 20:35 (ESV) After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly.

Why did Jehoshaphat join Ahaziah? To search for gold (see 1 Kings 22:47-48). It would appear Jehoshaphat let the prosperity God gave him never be enough for him. So much so that he joined with a wicked man to go get more. 

Worship is not a vehicle to get the goodies from God. It is a reminder to our hearts that God is good. When we praise, we set our hearts on Him and not simply His hands. Let us remember this and seek His face.