PRAISE: WEAPON OF WARFARE (II)

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated – 2Chronicles 20:22 (NKJV)

Led by Jehoshaphat, the Israelites chose to praise God in the middle of a dangerous challenge. The formidable opposition involved a large group of warriors who had gathered to fight them (v.2). After humbly asking God for help, King Jehoshaphat and his people organized a choir according to God’s directive and they began to praise God even when the enemies were already very close to them. The appointed choir marched out into battle in front of the Israelite army, singing: “Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever” (v.21).

When they began to sing, the Lord caused the enemy forces to attack and destroy each other. This is one of the wonders of praise. Praise to God attracts His Presence and makes Him to show up and show off His Almightiness. Three nations rose against them, yet they believed that by praise they will have victory because God said so. The result was disastrous for the enemies. God did what He had never done before; He set an ambushment against them, and they began to destroy one another, until they all died.

Judah did not need to lift their swords; it was not necessary because God was in action. They only came to take the spoil and a great one too. It took three days to gather all the valuables! There is a lesson for us here. What are the battles that are confronting you? They may not be three nations that faced the land of Judah, but the truth is, all enemies bow to the praise of God. Praising God in the midst of trouble may mean overriding your natural instincts which usually lean towards anxiety, worry, self-protection, and strategizing.

Praise guards your heart against troubling thoughts and self-reliance. It reminds you of this lesson: “The battle is not [ours], but God’s” (v.15b). Praise lifts your gaze from the battle to the victory, for Christ is already Victor, and He lives in the heart of all true believers. You have the Victor living and reigning in your heart so that you may have His victory in your life. Remember: the battle is the Lord’s and the victory is the Lord’s!