PRAISE YE THE LORD. (Part 12)
2 Chronicles 20 Verses 1-3 & 18-19 read:
It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah……And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. 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.
Three great nations, namely the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites, marshalled their forces against Judah, which was under the leadership of King Jehoshaphat. Reports came to King Jehoshaphat that a great multitude was coming against him from beyond the sea, on the side of Syria. The enemy forces were closing in fast and had gotten to Engedi. Suddenly, the dread of the battle fell on King Jehoshaphat, and he was gripped by fear. It is natural for any man to fear under such circumstance, but he must be swift to tune to the spirit to restore faith.
Jehoshaphat’s fears and helplessness drove him to seek the face of God. He called on the nation to fast and pray for God’s intervention in the impending battle. He brought to God’s rememberance all the promises he had made to save Judah whenever opponents rose against them. After this, Jehoshaphat bowed his head to worship the Lord, and all the children of Judah followed suit. Next, Jehoshaphat and the children of Judah, led by the levites, lifted up praise unto the Most High.
Instead of giving heed to the fears around us, let us turn to the Lord to express our praise. By lifting praise, Jehoshaphat and Judah welcomed God into their fold. Praise activates Christ’s presence as the lion of the tribe of Judah, who roars and scatters any opposing forces. Let us once more remind ourselves of the potency of the weapon of praise in subduing satanic oppositions as we consider the words of Psalm 149 verses 6-9. It says:
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, And punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: This honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏