Scripture commands us to give praise to God.
Praise helps us realize God is in control.
Psalm 148:5 5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
The highest form of praise is to give credit to God for who He is and for what He has done. The word “they” in the above scripture signifies that everyone who owes their very being to God should praise Him.
Let’s begin today’s lesson by going to second Chronicles 20. In this chapter King Jehoshaphat was given the victory against the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites (2 Chronicles 20). Please take time to read this chapter before you proceed.
Everyone of us has a battle to face. King Jehoshaphat and his people were about to go to battle and they feared the enemy. Today, many of us are facing family problems, marriage problems, problems in the work place, financial crisis, depression, suicidal thoughts, and even addictions. Some are facing more than one of these at the same time. Heaven forbid that we give up and turn the other way. When we consider these topics it seems that our world is in major chaos. Sometimes, things seem hopeless. Sex, violence, and sins are ricking havoc in our world. -But as Christians we are not to confirm to the culture of this world, because God changes everything when we go to Him. Through this passage God gives us the tools to rebuild and continue in a world that seems hopeless. With God, prayers and praise encourages us in the journey. God can give hope. God can protect. God can save. God can eliminate our enemies.
Praise is not just to make God feel good about himself. Praise is for the believer, because praise builds faith, assurance, peace, and joy. In both verses 22 and 28 we find that the people of God sang to bring comfort. For example, singing a hymn/song of praise can rebuke demons, prevent war, and send evil threats staggering away. On the other hand, when I taught school praising my students was necessary, because the students react to praise by being more positive. For this reason, praising each other is a necessary task, because this world tears us down so much that some people become depressed. However, our praise does not effect God like it effects mankind. 2 Chronicles 20, explains the reasons why God commands praise. Let’s figure out what happens in our heart when we praise God.
1. Verse 6 God is over all Kingdoms and God is powerful.
2. Verse 8, God is our healer and deliverer.
3. Verse 16, The battle belongs to the Lord.
4. Verse 17, God is on our side and He gives us salvation.
5. Verse 21, Praise God for His splendor, His Holiness, and loving devotion for His people.
We can learn so much from King Jehoshaphat. First, Jehoshaphat was a very good king that relied on God. Just like his father King Jehoshaphat did good in the sight of the Lord. He had killed a very evil king in chapter 19; therefore, an army was coming up against him. In the first four verses of 2 Chronicles we see the stage for this happening. The enemy armies were coming to steel and kill the king. What was the king going to do? Was the king going to relay on his own understanding and might. Does the king use his own skill and strength? No, King Jehoshaphat’s reaction to his trials and tribulations began with praying and praising to God. So, we learn for our own trails to follow the example of the king. In this life we are promised persecution and suffering. This is did exactly what we should do when we are facing times of trial and persecution. This king was facing death, but he still praised the Lord. What we need to notice here is that the king’s praises took his focus off his troubles and replaced his focused with the riches of the Lord.
Reading verse 3 and 4 we get a glimpse into the heart of the king. We get the first step into fighting a battle with our enemies. In our world, we are like the king, because he was afraid and feared what the enemies were going to do to him and his people. To fight a battle we must first realize who God is and go to God in prayer. We need to immediately turn to God. We need to cry out to God. When we need God and are in situations God is always ready to come to our defense. We often go wrong by trying to solve our problems on our own.
The second thing that the king did was praise the Lord for His sovereignty. With the questions the king asked in the mist of his kingdom (verses 5 through 8) we witness his faith. He praised the Lord for being in control of all situations. He praise the Lord for knowing what was going on in the lives of his people. Please read verse six! We see here that the king praised God for His might and His power. The king must’ve realized that nothing could pass to him or through his kingdom without first passing through the hand of God. Today, nothing can pass to you without moving through the hand of God first. According to Psalm 18:2, God is our high tower and our protector. God has everything under control! Everything we go through is part of God‘s sovereign plan for our lives. When we praise him our focus is not on our trails and tribulations, but it is on the things of God.
In the provided space right the first two things we should praise God for. Then, write five things that you can praise God for when trials and tribulations enter your life.
