Step Out In Song And Praise!

"Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria... And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD ... then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel... and he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's ... 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."   2 Chronicles 20:2-3,14-15,22

I enjoy learning about, and seeing in action, the power of prayer and praise. In this passage we see King Jehoshaphat learning of a multitude coming against him. Was he afraid? You bet. But what is so neat is that the first thing he does is call everyone (the whole city) together to seek the LORD for His help, after all He is the God of heaven and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations, in His hand is power and might, and He drove out the people of the land and gave it to His people...(see verse 6-7) Jehoshaphat knew his God was capable of delivering them from the hand of their enemy as well. Jehoshaphat was humble in heart before the people and the Lord for he said in verse 12, "We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." The Lord loves and honors a heart humbled, contrite and broken, before Him (see Psalm 51:17) His response to Jehoshaphat and the people, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's." In other words, don't take this personal. This is My battle not yours, you don't need to know what to do just stand back and watch what I will do. When did the Lord actually step in and deliver them? After they stepped out in faith with praise.

When was the last time you stepped out in faith with praise over an overwhelming, odds against you, situation? Doesn't come naturally does it? I'm guilty too. But the wonderful thing about God's word is that we can learn to praise and pray more, and be a people with a attitude of gratitude. The apostle Paul sums it up this way, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess. 5:16-18) Praise, prayer and gratitude. When we put them into practice our days run smoother, our light shines brighter, and people just want to hang out with us, and we find ourselves in the will of God. What a wonderful place to be!

May we learn from the examples of Jehoshaphat and the Apostle Paul, and put into our daily practice the power of prayer and praise. Let the Lord set the ambushes for your situation this day as you step out in song and praise!

Have a triumphant day in Jesus!
April