“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.’ 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.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (NIV)
I love to pray for the people I know, but sometimes it feels overwhelming. The list of needs to pray about is long, and the situations involved can be intense. When I start to feel like it’s all too much, I take a break to do something instead – singing praise to God. That reminds me that even though I don’t know how all those situations will work out, God does, and even though I can’t change those situations myself, God can. It lifts my perspective beyond people’s circumstances to the One who can help them. It’s also an act of faith that welcomes God’s power to move in the lives of the people I’m praying for. Always, when I praise God, I feel God’s peace settle on me, and I’m confident that God will do something good in the life of each person in my prayers.
In the story of King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, we see a powerful example of how singing praises to God can bring about victory despite overwhelming circumstances. When Judah was threatened by a vast and intimidating enemy army, King Jehoshaphat did something unexpected. Instead of sending soldiers to the front lines first, he appointed singers to lead the battle procession. As they lifted their voices in praise, something incredible happened: God intervened on their behalf. The invading armies were thrown into confusion, and they ended up destroying each other. Judah’s army didn’t even have to lift a sword. God fought the battle for them, and their victory was secured through praise.
This passage shows us that praise is a weapon in spiritual warfare. When we face battles in our lives, our first instinct might be to fight in our own strength or to panic. But Jehoshaphat’s story teaches us that God fights for us when we acknowledge his power, praise him for who he is, and invite him into the situations we face.
Praise has the power to shift our focus from our problems to God’s greatness. In times of trouble, it’s easy to become consumed by the size of our difficulties. Fear can cloud our judgment and make us feel helpless. However, when we begin to praise God – even in the middle of our struggles – our perspective shifts. We remind ourselves of our Heavenly Father’s love and power. We start to see our problems in light of God’s ability, not our limitations.
Jehoshaphat’s singers praised God for his holiness. They didn’t start by asking for help; they began by exalting God’s character. They magnified God’s glory. When we do the same, we take our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances, and we fix them on God. This act of worship not only brings peace to our hearts, but it also positions us to experience God’s intervention. It invites God’s presence into the battle, and where God is present, victory is certain. When we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances, praising God can be the key that unlocks his supernatural intervention.
In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat demonstrated his faith by placing praise singers at the front of the army. It was an act of trust – a declaration that God would fight for them. Similarly, when we praise God in the middle of our challenges, it’s a declaration of our faith in God’s ability to deliver us. It’s a statement that we trust God more than we trust our own understanding or ability to handle the situation. Praise builds our faith as we trust God’s plan, even when we can’t yet see the outcome.
Jehoshaphat’s story teaches us that praising God is a powerful strategy in spiritual battles. When we praise, we shift our focus from our problems to God’s greatness, we invite God’s presence into our circumstances, and we cultivate faith that God will fight for us. No matter what battles you are facing today, take a moment to lift your voice in praise. Sing to God, thank him for his enduring love, and watch as he works on your behalf!
Let’s pray:
Dear God, thank you for your love that endures forever. When I face challenges, help me remember that you are greater than anything that comes against me. I lift my voice in praise, declaring your holiness and your faithfulness. I invite your presence into my battles, trusting that you will fight for me. Teach me to praise you in every situation, even when things seem difficult, knowing that my victory comes from you. Strengthen my faith and help me rely on your power rather than my own strength. I trust you, God, and I praise you for the victory you will bring about for me. Amen.
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Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Originally published Friday, 08 November 2024.
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