Praise Precedes Victory

After Jahaziel prophesied that Judah would win over the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mt. Seir, King Jehoshaphat and his troops marched into war. However, instead of going entrenched in gear and combat strategy, they moved toward their enemies worshipping the Lord. So certain were they that God would make good on His promise to deliver them that they were confident enough to thank Him before it happened. And while we tend to think of conflict and struggle as solemn, the truth is that our greatest battles are often won from a posture of joyful praise. No matter how dire things look, the King of Heaven is on our side, and this means that the outcome is already in His hands. Even if circumstances aren’t playing out the way we think they should, he invites us to lift our voice in thanksgiving, because He knows exactly how it ends. He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies, and this means that we have nothing to fear. While we may feel like we’re surrounded on all sides, the best way out is to look up, because our Redeemer’s banner of love gives us certain victory! He beckons us to plant our feet, stand still, and watch Him do more than we can ask for, think, or imagine through a heart of wonder and worship.

My friend, praise precedes your victory! It might seem like there’s no way out of your current struggle, but I promise you, God has already authored the perfect solution. When you override feelings of doubt and fear and encourage yourself to worship instead, a floodgate of divine possibility will open to you. As you lift your soul to your Savior and thank Him for what you cannot see, He will do exceedingly, abundantly more than you can ask for or think and thereby point the watching world to the magnitude of His perfect love!