DAY 9 – Praise! (How Judah Won)

Devotion

Another powerful weapon that God gives us for victory is PRAISE!

Praising God means that we tell Him how good He is and celebrate that. It means that we really focus our attention on who He is and make Him bigger and more important than anything else in our hearts and lives. One of the reasons this is powerful is because it reminds us of how big and amazing our God is. It stirs faith and joy in our hearts and makes us see whatever we’re facing differently in light of Him.

Praise is the sound that faith makes. When you really believe God, you can praise Him—no matter what you’re facing— because you trust that He is good! You can praise Him when things are good and praise Him when they seem bad because that’s what He deserves. You can praise Him when you feel like it and praise Him when you don’t because your faith is more powerful than your feelings! God loves your faith. He loves seeing it in your heart and coming out in your actions. Because of that, He loves to respond and move when you praise Him!

Praising God is like the ultimate invitation to Him. You might be facing a battle that you don’t know how to win but when you praise God, you invite Him to do what you can’t and He never loses! This is exactly what Judah did in our Bible reading for today. They didn’t know how to win the battle they were facing, but as they praised God, He brought about a miracle for them.

He will do it for you too!

Scripture

2 Chronicles 20:17-22

But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!” Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD. Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.

Psalm 34:1

I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

Psalm 103:1-2

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.