The Daily Devotional for Thursday, November 9, 2023: The Victory in Praise

 

The Daily Devotional
Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Victory in Praise

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes… and they were defeated.
2 Chronicles 20:22 (NIV)

During the grim days of World War II, amidst the scattered military encampments strewn across the European landscape, an unexpected type of cargo descended from the sky, bringing a touch of solace to the homesick soldiers below—upright pianos. Crafted with innovation and care, these instruments were designed to use merely a fraction of the metal typically required, a mere 10 percent, ensuring they complied with wartime resource constraints. They were also fortified with a special type of glue that repelled water and treated to fend off insect damage, allowing them to withstand the harsh conditions of the front lines. These pianos, though rugged in their construction and simple in their design, became beacons of comfort. They sparked moments of camaraderie and respite as troops gathered around, their voices rising in unison with melodies that echoed the warmth of the homes they fought for.

Believers discover serenity amid strife, much like a melody cutting through the chaos of battle, by lifting their voices in songs of worship. This truth was profoundly demonstrated in the life of King Jehoshaphat as he confronted the ominous tide of encroaching armies detailed in 2 Chronicles 20. Seized with fear, the king rallied the people not to arms, but to seek divine intervention through prayer and fasting (verses 3-4). God's answer to their earnest supplication was a strategy that defied human wisdom: to march out in front of the advancing foes with the assurance that the battle would require no fight from them (verse 17). Jehoshaphat embraced this divine assurance with steadfast faith. He deployed a chorus of singers to lead his warriors, their voices raised not in war cries, but in praise for the triumph they trusted was forthcoming (verse 21). As their hymns of faith soared, the Lord orchestrated a miraculous deliverance, vanquishing the adversary and preserving His people (verse 22).

As we reflect on this, we can draw a spiritual parallel in our lives today. The battles we face may not be against flesh and blood, but against the challenges of life that threaten to overwhelm our spirit—illness, loss, uncertainty, and fear. Like Jehoshaphat, we too are called to a posture of humility and reliance on God, acknowledging that the battle is the Lord's.

As they began to sing and praise, a miraculous turn of events unfolded. The Lord set ambushes against the enemies of Judah, and they were defeated. In our praise—rooted in faith and trust in the Lord—there is spiritual warfare taking place. When we lift our voices in genuine adoration of the King of Kings, we are aligning ourselves with His mighty power that can break the chains of darkness and release the grip of despair.

The lesson for us in this scripture is clear: when we praise God, we declare His sovereignty over our circumstances. Praise shifts our perspective from our own abilities to God's unlimited power. It reminds us that, no matter the magnitude of the enemy we face, our God is greater.

Let us then take a moment to consider the "armies" we face in our own lives. What fears, doubts, or situations stand against us, threatening to steal our peace and joy? Let us respond not with worry, but with worship. Let us lift a song of praise for the God whose love endures forever, the God who fights for us, the God who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.

Friends, whatever you are facing today, begin to sing and praise. Let the high praises of God be in your mouth, and a two-edged sword in your hand (Psalm 149:6). For as we praise, heaven moves, chains are broken, and victory is secured—not by our might, nor by our power, but by the Spirit of the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6).

So let us sing, let us praise, and let us watch in faith as the Lord sets ambushes against the enemy, and brings us into the victory that He has promised to those who trust in Him. For in the economy of God, praise is not just the prelude to victory; it is the very pathway to it.