Ever been in a situation where the odds were against you? Ever felt like you were stuck in quicksand and the more you struggled the deeper you went under? Ever been in a place where you were surrounded by such great opposition that your only option was surrender? We’ve all experienced something of this sort at sometime in our lives. When there’s just no fight left because the battle’s been going on too long and you’re just plain tired. Well, God always provides a way of escape and that way defies all logic. It’s the last thing you feel like doing but the first thing you should do. Praise!

That’s right, I said praise. The most spectacular victories of battles in the bible have been when hands were lifted and a praise to God went up. Moses came to the Red Sea with Pharaohs army in hot pursuit, but when he lifted his arms, the sea split and the Lord delivered them. The three Hebrew Children were being forced to bow to an idol but they refused. They declared allegiance to God, giving Him praise and declaring that God was able to deliver them. God sent Jesus to loose them and set them free (“The fourth man looks like the Son of God”).

Let us not forget King Jehoshaphat when he found himself facing a vast army that was too many for them to take. God’s Word to him was; “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! 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.'” Jehoshaphat didn’t cower, he didn’t freak out or run the other way. The Bible says this in 2 Chronicles 20:18; “And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.”

Something happens when you engage in worship and praise in the battle you’re facing. Look at the outcome from verses 20-22; So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” ²¹ And when he 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:

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.

Did you see that? They praised first and God delivered them. When you don’t know where to turn; praise. When you don’t know what to do; praise. When you feel overwhelmed and everything goes to hell in a hand basket; praise. Praise will open doors, move mountains, open prison doors, set you free. Praise will get you out of ‘me’ focus onto ‘God’ focus. Praise says, ‘I believe you will do what you said you will do!’ Praise takes the evil twins of ‘doubt & unbelief’ and gives them the boot. If you need a miracle; PRAISE!

Father, I praise you this morning with everything in me. There is nothing too difficult for you. Nothing you haven’t seen or created that takes a front seat to you and your mighty power. I lift my hands to you and I declare that this battle I face is not mine, it’s yours. There are just some things you never intended me to fix because you want the glory for it. It’s not been easy, but I know you and you are well able to deliver me from this enemy I face. Until this is defeated, I will praise you. Until I see the light break through, I will praise you. I will not only lift my hands to you, I will lift my face to you. i will keep my eyes on you. I will listen to your voice and obey the instructions you give me. You are well able. Thank you for your mighty hand on my life and those who face battles today. It’s in Jesus’ Name we overcome. Amen