Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Lessons From The Battlefield Pt. II-The Power of Praise

Last week we read about how King Jehoshaphat chose to face the threat of the vast, advancing army of the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites (2 Chronicles 20:1-17). He chose the path of faith, instructing his people to seek the LORD and to trust Him for their deliverance. God responded by telling them, through the mouth of the prophet, that He would fight on their behalf. What happened next was an amazing account of the power of praise!

“18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.' 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.' 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.” 2 Chronicles 20:18-23

When we praise GOD, we diminish the strength of the enemy by exalting the name of the LORD. King David, Jehoshapat's forefather, stated, “1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1. Psalm 22:3 tells us that GOD is 'enthroned' in the praises of His people; the Jerusalem Bible states, “Yet you, the Holy One, who make your home in the praises of Israel.” GOD's presence abides in our praise! No enemy can withstand Him, “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered,” Psalm 68:1. Praise propels us to walk by faith, not by sight. Praise changes the outcome and brings victory!

Join us next week for the final instalment of our series, “Lessons From The Battlefield Pt. III: The Power of Victory,”

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for reminding me, "When we praise GOD, we diminish the strength of the enemy by exalting the name of the LORD." I needed this tweak within my spirit.

Farah said...

Amen! Praise IS the answer. I've watched God fight on my behalf every time I've chosen to praise Him. "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever."

Natasha said...

It is a lesson I am constantly reminded of in my walk with the LORD. When I praise and worship, my focus changes from my problems to the One who is able to fight on my behalf. GOD is faithful!