“I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody.”

Have you ever considered a song of praise to be a weapon? A weapon is something that is used to defeat or destroy. Throughout scripture, we find praise and worship a worthy antidote to fear and despair. And in II Chronicles 20, it was the actual reason for a victory in battle.

The sons of Moab and Ammon came to make war against Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. Then all of Judah gathered as Jehoshaphat addressed the Lord. He recounted God’s power and previous protection. Then Jehoshaphat stated the current problem, (vs 10-11), the powerlessness of the people, (vs 12a), and their concentration on God —“our eyes are on you.” (vs. 12b)

The Spirit of God, through Jahaziel, gave God’s answer to Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. “Don’t fear, the battle is not yours but God’s. You need not fight. Stand and see the salvation of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17, paraphrased)

The next morning, singers went out before the army, singing, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his lovingkindness is everlasting,” (2 Chronicles 20:21b, NASB95). WHEN they began singing and praising, the enemy was ambushed by one another. No one escaped.

The people’s praise prompted God to act. No other recorded military battle compares to the miracle that happened that day.

Another example of the power of praise is found in Psalm 13, a psalm of David. For years, David had been a fugitive of King Saul, hiding in caves in the countryside, as

Saul sought to end David’s life. David cried out to God,

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?

How long will You hide Your face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2, NASB95)

The anointed King David dejected and deserted, felt forgotten and sorrowful from morning to night.

“Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,

And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.” (Psalm 13:3-4, NASB95)

David poured out his troubles to God, imploring Him to answer.

“But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;

My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5, NASB95)

At the end of the Psalm, David turned to unwavering praise. He remembered God’s lovingkindness, God’s unfailing goodness in his life. And he confidently said,

“I will sing to the Lord,

Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:6, NASB95)

David’s circumstances had not changed. But his focus had. Praise and worship reoriented his thoughts and brought peace to his soul.

As he continued to face challenges on his journey to becoming king over Israel, David penned,

“I will bless the Lord at ALL times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm

34:1, NASB95)

Let your daily personal “melody,” your individual praise and worship, as well as gathering together as a church body, bring peace and rejuvenation to your soul.

All that we have experienced in this life, the joys and heartaches of this present age, will be inconsequential when God’s final curtain falls and the eternal kingdom is ushered in.

Everything else will fade away.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;

And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.

But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create” (Isaiah 65:17-18a, NASB95)

Optional Questions:

1. How has praise helped reorient your thoughts when facing hardship?

2. How has your worship brought peace and joy into your life?

3. How can worship shape your home?

Extra for kids:

Do you enjoy singing? There are a lot of fun songs that you might sing every day. Maybe your favorite is Let it Go from Frozen or Burning Ball of Fire by Johnny Cash. All of the songs we like to listen to make us feel a special way. What is your favorite song and how does it make you feel?

When we sing to God, we can feel connected to Him. Through worship we might feel strong because God is close by, but sometimes we might feel sad because we are hurting. No matter what we are feeling, God hears and sees it all. He wants our hearts to be open and honest when we worship Him. That’s one of the great things about worship music. It allows us to feel our emotions and bring them all before God.

Where do you worship God? Is it at home, in the car, at church, or all of those places?

Let’s practice worshiping God at home as a family this week. Each devotion this week will have some special music chosen for that devotion. Today the songs are about praising God for His goodness. Can you listen for that theme in the songs while you worship as a family? Parents, you can find these songs on youtube, spotify, or other music streaming apps.

Good God Almighty - Crowder

Goodness of God - CeCe Winans