Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears (Acts 16:25 MSG).
2 Chronicles 20 gives the inspiring account of how the children of Judah were surrounded and outnumbered by three enemy nations. Then the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, proclaimed a fast throughout the land, and while they prayed and fasted, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the Levite and he spoke forth the mind of God: “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
With those words of prophecy burning in his spirit, king Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed singers unto the Lord, to march ahead of the troops, singing, “…Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). As they sang and praised God, the power of God was activated, and their enemies were discomfited! They praised their way to victory! The fervency and vibrancy of their praise caused the angels of God to go into action and cause pandemonium in the enemy’s camp! The enemy soldiers turned their swords on each other, killing one another. By the time God’s people got to the scene the enemies were all dead! (2 Chronicles 20:22-24).
You discomfit the enemy and activate the power of God when you praise God from your spirit fervently and passionately, irrespective and independent of circumstances! Paul and Silas experienced this when they were imprisoned for doing the Lord’s will. Rather than gripe, complain or despair, they praised their way to victory! They stirred the power of God’s Spirit through praise and they were gloriously delivered (Acts 16:25-26).
I urge you to put this to work in your life always! Learn to praise your way to victory, irrespective of the seemingly hopeless situation you may be facing. The Bible says “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As you offer words of praise to the Lord from your spirit and extol His majesty, irrespective of the adversity, you’re establishing your victory. So, in spite of that challenge or difficult situation, shout His praise; and your victory will be undenied.
