“Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people – who had come against Judah; and they were defeated” (2 Chron. 20:22 NKJ).
Think of it! Singing and praising your way to victory. Singing and praising your way through discouragement, oppression, depression, fear, and worry.
“…And they were three days gathering the spoil (the loot) because there was so much” (v. 25). In Bible days, driving an enemy out entitled the victor to all the spoils of the battles.
The army of Judah so routed the enemy that it took three days to collect all the booty the enemy had left behind. And the victory was wrought not by fighting but by singing and praising the Lord!
God responded to the prayers of His people with these reassuring words: “…the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15). With this assurance, the king of Judah appointed singers and praisers to go out before the army and to praise the Lord. When they began to praise, the enemy was defeated.
The key word in this passage is began.
Your victory is dependent upon your doing something. You need to begin. Begin to count your blessings. Begin to enumerate past deliverances. Begin to praise the Lord. Begin to sing your song of deliverance.
The Bible says the Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3). When the Lord’s presence comes into our setting of praise and worship, the enemy is powerless against us. We can literally sing our way through every battle and win the victory the same way Jehosphaphat’s army won.
Singing and praising the Lord is an effective weapon in our spiritual warfare!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.