The Power of Praise

I currently have time to myself and I almost don’t know what to do with it!  I’m going to start here with you and then see what else transpires…

What comes to mind when I say the word “praise”?  Do you think of dancing?  Singing?  Or crazy people running down the isles of a church where you have firmly decided you’ll never attend again?  (I’m laughing, because sometimes I’m one of those people.)

In preparation for a recent tutor meeting I was asked to put 2 Chronicles 20:21b to a catchy tune that would cause remembrance of this verse in our very present time of need.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”  (NRSV)

Are you familiar with this sentence?  How about the story of deliverance unfolding around it?  You’re not? Story time…(*Please note: There are many key attributes in this chapter that are very real and apply to our lives today.  These things aren’t put in the great Book just for our enjoyment.  They are to challenge us, mold us, and encourage us. Read all the juicy details and begin reading in chapter 20:1.) 

War was coming.  Three nations were rising against King Jehoshaphat, king of Judah and Jerusalem.

His response?  He prayed (vs. 5-12) in the assembly of the people gathered.  ” …we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 20:12b

He listened. (vs. 13-19) **17-This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD on your behalf…’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.

He praised. (vs. 20-30) “…he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy splendor, as they went before the army, saying,

“Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the Ammonites and Moab attacked the inhabitants of Mount Seir, destroying them utterly; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another….”

Did you see what just happened?  The Power of Praising the Lord.  Greatly outnumbered by their enemies, Judah and Jerusalem did not prepare there army with swords, or shields, but appointed people with singing and praising.   Let that sink in, singing and praising.

What would have happened if the people were to embarrassed to sing to the Lord or praise his Holy splendor? What if they just decided not to show up because they were to busy?  Or they didn’t like to sing?  Do you think they would have been victorious?  Have you ever skipped worship at church because you didn’t like it and all you wanted to hear was the Word?   You just might have missed the victory… I’m going to stop right there before I get into trouble.

As surely as I’m able to sit during this time and write to you, the very title of this blog is being tested.  There are times when silence is deafening and noise is discord, but when you witness someone else giving praise to the Father, you hear their victory, you see them acting a fool,  don’t fight it.  They just might be leading you to your victory…Deep inside their joy can permeate you, causing you to sing and before you know it you’ve lifted up holy hands.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”  

Put on the praise, let your voice be raised

from the place where you stand, to your high and lifted hands

when you feel it deep within, it stirs a spark, and joy begins

Sing loud, sing clear, sing without fear. 

Don’t be shy, dance like a fool, you’re not dancing for the one beside you,

but for the One who Created you…