People always say expect the unexpected, but if you expect the unexpected, isn’t it expected? Recently, I shared with a close friend about a challenge that I was facing. I expected her to sympathize with me and offer some encouragement or words of wisdom. Instead, the words that came from her mouth were, “You need to praise God.” I was a little surprised at her response, but I immediately knew she was right. I had been focusing on the problem at hand instead of the Problem Solver. Over the next few days, God relentlessly reminded me of the need to praise Him no matter what.
Praise is easy. When life is going well, we give God the glory. We are quick to praise Him from the mountaintops and areas of beauty, but what place does praise have in the valley and the darkness? The Chronicles of the Old Testament record a beautiful picture of the power of praise. King Jehoshaphat finds himself and all the people of Judah in quite a pickle. Messengers have come to the King and reported that a huge army is on its way to attack them and he knows there is no humanly possible way in which they could be victorious. King Jehoshaphat is alarmed and summons all the people to join him in the most sensible way he knows how—to seek help from the Lord. The King pleads with God Almighty to save them from this impending calamity. From the midst of the assembly, the Lord speaks through one of the young men and assures the people that the battle is God’s and they do not need to be afraid. They do, however, need to go out the next day and face their enemy. Upon hearing these words, King Jehoshaphat and all the people bowed down in worship before the Lord and several men in the group stood up and praised God loudly. Early the next morning, the King gave the people a spiritual pep talk and appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise Him for the splendor of his holiness as they led the army of Judah forward.
The next words in 2 Chronicles 20:22 strengthen me. “AS THEY BEGAN TO SING AND PRAISE,” the Lord set ambushes against their enemies, causing the opposing forces to turn on one another and they were defeated. Yay, God!
The people of Judah didn’t have to lift a finger, all they needed to do was lift their voices. Could the same be true for us? The people not only praised God after things turned out in a positive way, they praised God before the battle even got started, and continued to praise him in the midst of their attack. As my friend reminded me, my commitment to praise God didn’t change because of my circumstances. Praise should be an ongoing response to the splendor of the Lord and He will fight for me.
Praise is a powerful weapon in our spiritual arsenal. Praise confuses the enemy and it takes our focus off the storm and forces us to look to the only One who can bring calm. Hebrews 13:15 reminds us, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Whatever situation you find yourself in today, will you join me in praise?
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:1-3)
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17)
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5)
Erin Jacobsma