The Weapon of Praise

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Did you know that praising God is a weapon? It is. And it can help you defeat the enemies of your life. This is the lesson from 2 Chronicles 20 in the life of Jehoshaphat. Having prayed desperately for God to intervene and depending on His Word and Covenant Promises, the messenger of the Lord shows up before the battle with good news. 

2 Chronicles 20:15–17 (ESV) And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”

What a promise. The Lord says do not be afraid, this is His battle. I like to think that about my challenges in life, I know you do too. God takes personal responsibility for His children. You can bank on that. Jehoshaphat's army is told to simply stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. 

The king responds appropriately in humility and worship.

2 Chronicles 20:18–19 (ESV) Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Jehoshaphat's faith is renewed through the words of the prophet. And from this moment a cascade effect falls upon the nation as they begin to praise the Lord in powerful ways. 

2 Chronicles 20:21–22 (ESV) And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 22 And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.

Notice the phrase in verse 22, "When they began to sing and praise the Lord set an ambush" against their enemies. Praise has a profound effect on the lives of God's people and the problems they face. The end of the event results in a joyful nation blessed with the spoils of a war they did not have to fight, they just had to rejoice over. 

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.

Praise is a weapon, my friends. It silences the enemy and his taunts. Now here's why you can always praise God in spite of what you are going through and it will change the tenor of your experience. Praise acknowledges God is ultimately in control - and He is. Praise affects your spirit and mindset. Praise and worship lift up the Lord and not the issues you face. Praise exalts the God who already won the ultimate victory and destroys the seeds of doubt and fear. It's been scientifically proven that singing in unison with others enhances mood and outlook. Now consider when that song is based on the glories of the Almighty God! That's unstoppable.

I literally did this the other day in my car. I just began to shout to the Lord and praise Him for every good thing in my life. I did not need to pray after that, the atmosphere of fear was gone and I was different. Is it any wonder why the scriptures call on us to praise the Lord so often? Because the battle is His and the victory is sure. 

Amen. 

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