Singing praises to God

2 Chronicles  20:19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.  20:20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.  20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

It has been revealed to us from various passages of the scripture that praise is a powerful tool capable enough to bring to once life the hand and presence of God. The power of praise not just as a song, but also a weapon and a declaration of God's supremacy. 

To understand the significance of the praise from our scripture passage today, , we must first consider the context. Judah, under the reign of King Jehoshaphat, was facing an overwhelming enemy.

 A great multitude had gathered against them, a combination of several kingdoms, all united with the intent to destroy Judah. Jehoshaphat, in his desperation, turned to God. He called the people to prayer and fasting. In response, God spoke through a prophet, assuring them that the battle was not theirs but His. The Lord promised victory without Judah having to fight.

Now, with these words of assurance from God, Jehoshaphat's next move was not to arm his soldiers with swords and shields but to place singers at the head of the army. This act was a demonstration of faith that what mattered most was not their military strategy but their trust in God's deliverance.

The first lesson we should learn here is that praise is a weapon in spiritual warfare. In the face of overwhelming odds, praise became their battle strategy. This was a declaration that God is greater than their circumstances. Praise shifts our focus from the problem to the promise. When we praise God, we declare His sovereignty, His holiness, and His unfailing love.

The Bible is filled with examples of God responding to the praises of His people. In the book of Acts, we see Paul and Silas praising God in prison, and the walls of their chains came down. In 2 Chronicles, as Judah marched forward with praise, God set ambushes against their enemies, and they were defeated. Praise brings God's intervention.

Furthermore, Jehoshaphat’s instruction to the people was clear: “Have faith in the Lord your God, and you will be upheld.” (v. 20). Faith should be  the foundation of our praise if we desire true victory from the Lord. It is not just the act of singing; it is the posture of the heart. 

When we praise God, we are declaring our trust in Him, acknowledging that He is in control, even when we can't see the solution. Jehoshaphat knew that victory was not in their might but in God’s power. When we sing praises, we acknowledge that God is faithful, and His promises are true.

In our own lives, we may find ourselves facing battles—financial, relational, family, spiritual. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged. But remember, praise is not dependent on our circumstances; it’s dependent on our faith in God. When we sing praises, we are actively participating in a reminder of His goodness, His faithfulness, and His eternal love.

Finally, we see that praise leads to victory and deliverance. As Judah marched out with their singers leading the way, the Bible tells us that God caused the enemy to turn on each other. The battle was won without a single soldier lifting a sword. When the people of Judah praised God, He fought for them.

In the same way, when we praise God, we open the door for His supernatural intervention in our lives. God moves when we lift up our voices in faith and trust. Praise is not just an emotional response; it is a declaration that God is worthy of our trust and that we believe in His ability to deliver.

In conclusion, I want to encourage you today to make praise a central part of your life. Praise is not only for the good times but especially for the battles. When you face difficulties, when the odds seem against you, turn to praise. Let it be the first response from your heart, not a last resort. Praise brings breakthrough. Praise shifts our perspective. Praise invites God's intervention.

God bless you. 

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name. 

2. Lord, help me to praise You with faith, knowing that You are working on our behalf. 

3. Lord, let my heart be filled with trust in Your goodness, and let my songs of praise bring about victories in my life. In Jesus Christ name. 

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.