THE POWER OF PRAISE! (2Chronicles 20)
1. In all of history this was one of the rarest military campaigns ever waged to defend a country under siege. Whoever heard of a battle being led by a group of singers and musicians? But sing and play they did. Here is the true account of what happened:
2. Word was rushed to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, announcing the swift approach of a "vast army" of Ammon, Moab and Seir, three kingdoms who had united in a joint offensive to attack him. Alarmed at the news, Jehoshaphat resolved to ask the Lord for help. The king, knowing the weakness of his own forces compared to the mighty armies of the enemy, proclaimed a time of national prayer and fasting throughout all Judah. Soon people from all over began pouring into the capital to seek help from the Lord.
3. Then in the midst of all the people, Jehoshaphat poured out a powerful prayer: "O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in Heaven? You rule over kingdoms and nations, and power and might are in Your hand and none can withstand You." As the king's soul-stirring prayer echoed throughout the crowd, the people's spirits were strengthened.
4. "We know that in the time of calamity," continued the king, "whatever peril it may be, if we stand in Your presence and cry out to You in our distress, You will hear and save us!"
5. "Oh God, will You not judge those who come against us to drive us out of the land You gave us for an inheritance? For we have no power against this great army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU!"
6. Then suddenly a young priest named Jahaziel cried out with a loud voice to all the people, "Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor discouraged because of this great multitude, for the BATTLE is not yours, but GOD'S."
7. A feeling of comfort and reassurance swept over the crowd as everyone realised that God had heard their cries and had surely come to answer their prayers. Jahaziel's message continued, "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle. Take up your positions; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord for you. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out to face them, and the Lord will be with you."
8. When the message ended, King Jehoshaphat bowed his face to the ground and all of Judah and Jerusalem fell before the Lord in worship, while the priests lifted their voices to praise the Lord.
9. The next morning as the troops made preparations for battle, King Jehoshaphat spoke encouragingly, reminding them, "BELIEVE in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established, HAVE FAITH in His prophets, so shall you have good success."
10. After the king had consulted with the people, the idea came to appoint singers to march out in front of the troops, leading them to battle. What a daring step of faith, showing that they believed GOD would fight for them. And Jehoshaphat instructed them to "praise the Lord for the beauty of His holiness", and that as they took their position at the front of the ranks they should sing, "Give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever." They were thanking God in advance for the victory He had promised to win!
11. And no sooner had they begun to sing and praise, than it says that "the LORD set ambushments against the men of Ammon, Moab and Mt. Seir, who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."
12. Now although the Bible doesn't specifically say what those "ambushments" were, it does explain that the men of those three invading kingdoms began to fight among themselves in a violent upheaval. First "the men of Ammon and Moab rose up against those of Mt. Seir, to destroy them, and when they had finished, both of the armies destroyed one another!" All the enemy forces were massacred completely.
13. When the men of Judah came to a promontory overlooking the battlefield "they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped."
14. Jehoshaphat and his men gathered great riches and many precious jewels, so much that it took them three days to collect it all. Then, "on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah (meaning praise), for there they blessed the Lord.
15. "Then the FEAR OF GOD came upon all the kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for God had given him rest on every side."
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16. What wonderful lessons of FAITH, PRAYER and praise!--When faced with a tremendous battle against overwhelming opposition, Jehoshaphat desperately PRAYED and threw himself completely on the LORD, confessing his own weaknesses and inabilities. Then, after receiving God's promise that HE would give them the victory, Jehoshaphat put his FAITH into ACTION by having the singers and musicians lead the troops, shouting and singing PRAISE to the Lord.--And God Himself miraculously delivered them from their enemies!
17. The same holds true for us today: When faced with battles and trials that seem too big for us to handle, if we will simply throw ourselves completely on the LORD & cry out to Him with our WHOLE hearts, and believe the promises of His Word, we can then go on the ATTACK, praising the Lord and thanking Him by faith for the victory!
18. PRAISE is the VOICE of FAITH! If you really BELIEVE the Lord has heard your prayers, you will start praising Him for the answer, even BEFORE you see it!
19. So when the Devil tempts you to get down in the dumps and discouraged, to fret, worry and complain about your plight, don't just sit there, FIGHT! Remember the POWER of POSITIVE PRAISE and look UP, count your BLESSINGS and start thanking and praising God!
20. The Devil cannot stand praise, he HATES it! So if you really want to overcome him, start PRAISING the LORD no matter WHAT'S happening! "SUBMIT yourselves to GOD, RESIST the DEVIL and he will FLEE from you!"--James 4:7. Launch an attack by singing, quoting Scriptures and praising God when faced with battles and trials, and JESUS will give you the victory! Keep praising, amen?
Copyright 1996 The Family