Praising God is an invisible - but effective - weapon.
It is so invisible that I often forget it. As do many other Christians.
Charles Spurgeon, a great British Baptist preacher in the 1800s, was inspired by the story of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and the vastly outnumbered army of Judah and their amazing victory over the combined armies of three nations described in 2 Chronicles 20.
Spurgeon called the victorious army of Judah "the singing army" because they routed their enemies by singing praises to God.
In The Power in Praising God, a collection of his sermons, Spurgeon describes the confrontation between Judah and the invading armies before listing several key lessons we can learn from it.
When men reported the gathering attack, King Jehoshaphat called together his people and declared a fast as they sought God's direction in how to respond.
Spurgeon notes the people prayed with confidence in what God had done in the past. When we face problems, we can approach God in faith, too, remembering what he has done before.
Then, the people recalled what God had promised them over the years - referring to scripture. That is available to us, too.
Next, they admitted their weakness in the face of an overpowering enemy force. We are strongest when we admit our weakness and our need for God.
Finally, they said "Our eyes are upon you", declaring their complete trust in God.
God responded through the Spirit causing a prophet to assure the people of Judah that they need not fear because "the battle is not yours, but God's". The people reacted by worshiping God. They started praising God in song.
"This is the way you should deal with God," Spurgeon writes. "Before deliverance comes, praise him. Praise him for what is coming; adore him for what he is going to do."
Jehoshaphat ordered men to go out before the army singing and praising God "for the splendour of his holiness". They sang: "Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever."
It's hard to imagine a crazier battle plan - men singing praises to God rather than attacking with weapons.
But God responded by setting ambushes for the enemy forces, causing the three attacking armies to fight among themselves. The army of Judah did not have to fight.
"Now, child of God, it will be the same for you," says Spurgeon. "I do not know how, but if you can only trust God and praise him and go straight ahead, you will see such wondrous things that you will be utterly astonished."
Indeed, I have read elsewhere of people's lives being changed by praising God - even people being healed as they offered praises to the Lord.
Praising God destroys the schemes of Satan as he cannot stand adoration of God.
Praise is effective in changing us - and sometimes even our circumstances.
It is so invisible that I often forget it. As do many other Christians.
Charles Spurgeon, a great British Baptist preacher in the 1800s, was inspired by the story of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and the vastly outnumbered army of Judah and their amazing victory over the combined armies of three nations described in 2 Chronicles 20.
Spurgeon called the victorious army of Judah "the singing army" because they routed their enemies by singing praises to God.
In The Power in Praising God, a collection of his sermons, Spurgeon describes the confrontation between Judah and the invading armies before listing several key lessons we can learn from it.
When men reported the gathering attack, King Jehoshaphat called together his people and declared a fast as they sought God's direction in how to respond.
Spurgeon notes the people prayed with confidence in what God had done in the past. When we face problems, we can approach God in faith, too, remembering what he has done before.
Then, the people recalled what God had promised them over the years - referring to scripture. That is available to us, too.
Next, they admitted their weakness in the face of an overpowering enemy force. We are strongest when we admit our weakness and our need for God.
Finally, they said "Our eyes are upon you", declaring their complete trust in God.
God responded through the Spirit causing a prophet to assure the people of Judah that they need not fear because "the battle is not yours, but God's". The people reacted by worshiping God. They started praising God in song.
"This is the way you should deal with God," Spurgeon writes. "Before deliverance comes, praise him. Praise him for what is coming; adore him for what he is going to do."
Jehoshaphat ordered men to go out before the army singing and praising God "for the splendour of his holiness". They sang: "Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever."
It's hard to imagine a crazier battle plan - men singing praises to God rather than attacking with weapons.
But God responded by setting ambushes for the enemy forces, causing the three attacking armies to fight among themselves. The army of Judah did not have to fight.
"Now, child of God, it will be the same for you," says Spurgeon. "I do not know how, but if you can only trust God and praise him and go straight ahead, you will see such wondrous things that you will be utterly astonished."
Indeed, I have read elsewhere of people's lives being changed by praising God - even people being healed as they offered praises to the Lord.
Praising God destroys the schemes of Satan as he cannot stand adoration of God.
Praise is effective in changing us - and sometimes even our circumstances.
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