Judah and its king, Jehoshaphat, were in serious trouble. Three of the nations around them had made an alliance to come against them in war. In their own strength, Judah was no match, and their king led them in desperate prayer to the Lord, admitting their powerlessness in the situation. Instead of focusing on their own weakness, they began to praise the beauty and mercy of the Lord.
21 And when he (King Jehoshaphat) had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”
22 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. 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (NKJV)
The Lord heard their prayer, and spoke to them through a prophet:
17 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.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)
Now that they knew that they would be safe, they must have begun to wonder how the Lord would deliver them from their superior foe? Fire from heaven? Large hailstones or a flood? Miraculous strength for their army?
God gets to choose His own method of deliverance, and He often catches us by surprise with His choice. In this case, Judah’s army got to sit and watch while the enemies’ alliance dissolved right in front of their eyes. The three invading armies turned on each other, first two nations against one, then the two remaining turned against each other. Before they even got to encounter the army of Judah, they had finished each other off. All that remained was for Judah’s army to walk out onto the battlefield to gather the spoils of war.
Jehoshaphat’s strategy was interesting, and maybe something we can all learn from. After praying, he did send his army out to confront the invaders, but he also assembled a “song of praise” team to march out ahead of it. This fits well with Jesus’ later instruction to us to “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Scripture tells us that it was when the praises went up that God’s deliverance began. The act of worship and faith was pleasing in God’s sight, and He began to move in favor of Judah.
The same concept is heard in Keith Green’s song, “When the Praises Go Up”
For when I hear the praises start
I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child and you know me
To Me you’re only holy
Nothing that you’ve done remains
Only what you do for Me
Songwriter: Green, Keith Gordon, Green Melody 1977
When God, in His great goodness, delivers us through our trial, He may not choose to do so using spectacular methods. It may be as simple as placing the right doctor in the right place at the right time for us. Or a random passer-by seeing our desperate need and helping deliver us. Or some financial blessing showing up at just the right time to address a pressing need. To an outsider, these may not appear to be miracles, but we know they are, just as much as those who He blesses with an instantaneous healing. God’s hand has provided us with deliverance from crisis in answer to our prayer, just when we needed it the most.
Thank God for His goodness and love for us. We would be utterly lost without Him! Let His name be praised!
Reflection
How can we add more praise, worship, and song to the Lord in our lives? It is so pleasing to Him. I know that this is something I need to do much more of in my own life.
Lord, help me to remember to praise You in thought, word, song, and action today. You are so very worthy of it, and of so much more! And You do so enjoy it. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 