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Psalm 149: 1-9
David had a testimony of unending victories and never lost a single battle even though he found himself in overwhelming situations. The secret was that he had a close relationship with God and knew how to praise Him. When you know how to secure God’s company in the midst of life’s battles, then you know how to experience victory every single time. Ephesians 6:12 says that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers”. Many people fight the wrong enemies as they are not fully conscious of the fact that the physical world is controlled by the invisible world. By being a creation of God, you are automatically Satan’s enemy and Satan opposes everything that is of God. However, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us about the efficacy of the invisible weapons God has equipped us with to carry out warfare and praise is one of those weapons. Through praise, you transfer your battles to God because He is enthroned in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).
In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua learnt an interesting secret as he approached Jericho with the children of Israel. God had given Joshua a promise that no man would be able to successfully withstand him in battle (Joshua 1:3). Joshua believed this word so much that when he now faced this Man dressed in military attire, he was fearless in confronting him. When the Man introduced Himself as the Commander of the Lord’s army, Joshua knew that God Himself had appeared on the scene and fell to the ground in worship. The Commander then asked him to remove his sandal. In the Jewish culture, when a person handed over his sandals, it symbolised the fact that he was handing over his right to an inheritance or a property. The handing over of sandals can be compared to the modern-day Certificate of Occupancy. In other words, all the responsibility for victory in the battle was given to God. When we praise God, we recognise that He is the Commander of the Lord’s army and we hand over to Him. While Joshua worshipped, God gave him clear instructions for the battle against Jericho (Joshua 6:20). When God arises, His enemies will be scattered; when He shows up, everything changes for good. (Ps 68: 1-4)
A practical demonstration of praise at work is seen in 2 Chronicles 20:14-24. Jehoshaphat was completely overwhelmed when faced by the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir and the situation looked impossible. While the whole of Judah gathered to seek the Lord’s face, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel and he prophesied and gave instructions for the battle. Jehoshaphat then appointed those who would sing praises and as they praised the Lord, God set ambushes against the armies of the three nations. The enemies fought themselves until they were completely destroyed and Judah did not have to fight. (vv 21-24). Stop measuring yourself against the situation. Measure God against the situation and you will no longer be overwhelmed. Take your eyes off the size of the problem and focus on God’s size.
If you want to displace principalities and powers, you must discover the secret of praise (Psalm 149: 6-9). The things that are impossible with man are possible with God. As you praise God this month, you will step into the realm of possibilities!
In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua learnt an interesting secret as he approached Jericho with the children of Israel. God had given Joshua a promise that no man would be able to successfully withstand him in battle (Joshua 1:3). Joshua believed this word so much that when he now faced this Man dressed in military attire, he was fearless in confronting him. When the Man introduced Himself as the Commander of the Lord’s army, Joshua knew that God Himself had appeared on the scene and fell to the ground in worship. The Commander then asked him to remove his sandal. In the Jewish culture, when a person handed over his sandals, it symbolised the fact that he was handing over his right to an inheritance or a property. The handing over of sandals can be compared to the modern-day Certificate of Occupancy. In other words, all the responsibility for victory in the battle was given to God. When we praise God, we recognise that He is the Commander of the Lord’s army and we hand over to Him. While Joshua worshipped, God gave him clear instructions for the battle against Jericho (Joshua 6:20). When God arises, His enemies will be scattered; when He shows up, everything changes for good. (Ps 68: 1-4)
A practical demonstration of praise at work is seen in 2 Chronicles 20:14-24. Jehoshaphat was completely overwhelmed when faced by the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir and the situation looked impossible. While the whole of Judah gathered to seek the Lord’s face, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel and he prophesied and gave instructions for the battle. Jehoshaphat then appointed those who would sing praises and as they praised the Lord, God set ambushes against the armies of the three nations. The enemies fought themselves until they were completely destroyed and Judah did not have to fight. (vv 21-24). Stop measuring yourself against the situation. Measure God against the situation and you will no longer be overwhelmed. Take your eyes off the size of the problem and focus on God’s size.
If you want to displace principalities and powers, you must discover the secret of praise (Psalm 149: 6-9). The things that are impossible with man are possible with God. As you praise God this month, you will step into the realm of possibilities!
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