Let Praise Precede You

Let praise precede you.

I’ve had some good examples around me lately who have been living this out right before my eyes. As I watch them bring their requests before God and live in a posture of trust instead of striving, I see that peace is the by-product of that position, and I watch God take care of things.

Friends, if there is something you are building, if there is something you are waiting on God for, or even if you don’t have answers for some very present problems—there is POWER in practicing this truth. Let’s turn to Scripture to find out why.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we read the story of a great multitude coming against God’s people.

King Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord: “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (v.12, NKJV).

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel, a Levite and he said: “Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you” (vv.15-17, NKJV).

The people’s response was simply to bow their heads in worship.

The following day, the King appointed those who should sing to the Lord and those who should praise the beauty of His holiness, as they went out BEFORE the army. We read on, ”Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated” (v.22, NKJV).

The enemy was defeated, friends. It happened as they began to praise the Lord, even before they saw His promise of deliverance come to pass. I’m challenged by this to open my mouth and praise Him first; to live from a place of knowing God will show up instead of just hoping He will.

Father, may we praise FIRST and rest in You until our faith is made sight.