Confronting A Defeated Enemy
In 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 we find Jehoshaphat employing a very unusual battle strategy — praising and worshiping the Lord. What happened as a result of this unusual strategy?
The Bible says, “And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir; which were come against Judah; and they were smitten” (verse 22). Another translation of this verse says, “The moment they began to praise the Lord, their enemy was defeated.” You see, our victory is in learning how to overcome an enemy that’s already defeated.
When Israel began to praise the Lord, their enemies turned on each other and completely destroyed one another The enemy destroyed itself. Praise and worship of God from the depths of an honest and sincere heart is like pushing the self-destruct button for everything that opposes you, whether it be sickness, emotional problems, or financial bondage.
Do you want to fight your own battles, winning one here and losing two there, always losing ground, things always getting worse and seldom getting better? Or do you want to follow God’s formula and be able to stand back and see the deliverance of the Lord?
This is so beautiful: “And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped” (verse 24). I like that! The multitude — their enemies — were dead bodies and none of them escaped!
Jehoshaphat did not know by what means the victory was going to come, or how God was going to work; but he stood firm in the midst of the enemy, faced the battle line, and praised God for the victory, even before he saw it come to pass.
Let me tell you something. It’s one thing to believe this intellectually, but it’s another thing to stand face to face with the devil when you’ve got cancer, your children are on drugs, or your home is breaking up. When you stand face to face with the enemy, you are going to have to believe the Word of God and the word that falls from the lips of the prophet!
They didn’t know how God was going to bring them the victory and neither do you. Why do you care how He brings you deliverance and victory? Though you may not know how the victory will happen or when, you know this according to the Word of God: It will happen!
You can praise God in the midst of the enemy. You can praise God right on the battle line with the adversary of your soul, your home, and your body. Praise God for the victory!
Yes, before and even during the raging of the battle — praise Him, for the victory!
Praise Him, for you shall overcome! The enemy is a defeated foe!
Make this declaration:
Praise God for the victory! The enemy is a defeated foe. I will overcome in the strength and power of the Lord.
