Praising and worshipping God in battle is an affirmation of our victory. In 2 Chronicles 20:17-19 , Judah and Jerusalem were faced with war - their enemies were coming against them, and they were panicking. Jahaziel prophesied saying "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
Jehoshaphat and all his followers worshipped God as a sign of surrender. Then the Levites followed with praises to God. It was their way of telling God that the battle was His and not theirs. They were affirming God's power and might, and their faith in His ability to save them from their enemies. The next day, King Jehoshaphat assured his men to have faith in God, and then led them in praises to God . 2 Chronicles 20:20-21
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”
Judah's army was a singing army - absurd but true. This singing army praised God, and in their course of praising their God, they witnessed a spectacular sight - 2 Chronicles 20:22-24 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.
The Lord whom Judah and Jerusalem were praising and worshipping, stepped in, and fought their battle for them. He caused their enemies to be defeated, they turned against themselves and killed each other. When Judah and Jerusalem got to where their enemies were, they found their dead bodies. Their victory was a walk in the park!
Our praise and worship of God sets confusion in the camp of our enemies. Praise and worship is a battle cry. Praise and worship sets the mood for victory , victory won through God!
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