Power in praise

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20:22
We read of this account during the reign of King Jehoshaphat in the southern kingdom, when he was being attacked by the Edomite, Moabite, and Ammonite armies. He was alarmed, but didn’t panic. Instead, he sought the Lord (2 Chr. 20:3). He received a word from the prophet Jahaziel that he would not have to fight the battle, but the Lord would fight on behalf of the people (2 Chr. 20:17).
The people of Judah went out to face the Edomites. Throughout the account that follows, we read how they praised God at several key points: (a) when they received the word, 2 Chr. 20:19, (b) when they were marching towards the armies, 2 Chr. 20:21-22, (c) when they returned, 2 Chr. 20:27-28. In other words, they praised God before, during, and after the victory.
The same applies to us. No matter what happens, or is about to happen, we can and should always praise the Lord. There is never a time when it is inappropriate to praise Him. When we praise – and by ‘praise’ I don’t necessarily mean ‘sing’, because singing is only one way of praising God – we are acknowledging His greatness and His goodness. This causes us to develop a right perspective of the situation: God is much greater than whatever we are facing. In turn this increases our faith. This is why there is power in praise.