Monday, July 18, 2016

Praise Leads to Victory

By Sam Nobles
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3 ESV)


Praise honors God! This truth is seen all throughout the Bible. God is everywhere—He’s omnipresent, but the place where God is particularly comfortable is in our praise. God will move the most powerful in your life when you are in the mindset and place of praise.

In the Old Testament, we read of King Jehoshaphat whose kingdom faced seemingly insurmountable odds against a host of enemies who were determined to destroy them. Yet God’s plan for them was to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:17). As King Jehoshaphat prepared to do battle, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jahaziel, who said, “…the battle is not yours, but God’s.” After hearing this, Jehoshaphat was moved to send forth not the army, but a choir. When the enemy forces heard the sound of God’s praise they were so confused that they began to unsheathe their swords and destroy one another.

When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, he praised God with all of his strength (2 Samuel 6:12-23). David’s praise pleased God so much that God presence remained in David’s kingdom and gave him victory over any enemy that challenged him.

Before Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane, and on to Calvary, where God’s greatest victory would be won, He led His disciples to sing a hymn (Mark 14:26). The disciples were about to fail Him, and Jesus was about to be mercilessly executed, yet Jesus insisted that they praise God.

Our praise, especially in the midst of difficulty, looks beyond the problems we face to the victory that only God can bring. Praise is not rooted in the circumstances of the moment, but in the trustworthiness of God to be faithful. If you find it difficult to praise God, it may be that your focus is not on Him, but your problems.

Scripture to Claim:

But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more (Psalm 71:14 NKJV)

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