Praise is Our Secret Weapon
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Intro:
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.”
Today, the title of my message is, [Praise is Our Secret Weapon].
A secret weapon is something no one knows about that will give an advantage over an enemy.
During WWII, scientists, physicists, and leaders from the military developed what was known as the Manhattan Project. They had a clear objective, to create a bomb that would end the war, and potentially end further wars.
With war happening all over Europe and Asia, the United States sought to end the conflict. They worked on a secret weapon. But secret was the operative word.
If news got to the enemies of what the Manhattan Project was, the US would lose their advantage. Therefore, over 130,000 people worked on the bomb, but only a few dozen knew the scope of the project.
People had different jobs and they had to keep their work a secret. If they divulged any information about what they were doing, they would face ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Everyone had their job, but they didn’t know the end result. The project was so secret, President Roosevelt did not even share it with his fourth vice president, Harry Truman.
Once he became president, the gave him the information about the bomb that was created. There were only two in existence. As the war lingered and Japan refused to surrender, President Truman authorized the military to use the secret weapon, an atomic weapon.
The secret weapon worked and the conflict ended.
Secret weapons are a secret for a reason. If the enemy knew the nature and potential power of their adversaries weapon, they could have an advantage in the conflict.
What does this story have to do with our walk with God?
There is a war taking place all around us. The conflict is never ending, but it is unseen.
The war I speak of is not located in a particular part of the world. In fact, much of the fighting takes place behind the scenes and cannot be observed through the naked eye.
This war is spiritual. The kingdom of darkness against the Kingdom of God. Our relationship with God determines whose side we are on in this war.
Something else we must know about this war are the sides. On one side we have Satan, who is at war. But who does he fight?
Remember, the spiritual battles that occur are NOT between Satan and God. They are between Satan and God’s PEOPLE.
The moment we come to Christ and determine we will live for Him, the enemy will do everything he can to stop us. He will attack us, tempt us, discourage us and distract us.
How then do we overcome his attacks?
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
We cannot use physical weapons to end the war with Satan. The Atomic Weapon that ended World War II is powerless against the forces of darkness.
What then is our advantage? What is our secret weapon?
Today, I want to look at a story about a King named Jehoshaphat. Once again, the enemy tried to stop God’s people, but the Lord gave them a secret weapon.
Say this with me, [Praise is Our Secret Weapon]. I have three points, [The Source of Worry], [The Strategies of War], and [The Secret Weapon].
Let’s begin
1. The Source of Worry
1. The Source of Worry
1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).
The need for a secret weapons begins with some type of worry. For King Jehoshaphat, it happened when he received word that an alliance of three armies joined together to attack Judah.
The Moabites and the Ammonites were the main leaders of the alliance. These ancient names mean little to us, but they were important to God’s people.
These two nations had a long history with God’s people. There were times they enjoyed peace, but more often than not, they attempted to fight against Judah.
Now, they have united in their efforts. Upon hearing this, the king was worried. From a natural perspective, he had cause to worry. They were not just any enemy, they were
The Moabites descended from Moab and the Ammonites descended from Ammon. Moab and Ammon were sons of Lot, the nephew of Abraham.
Meaning, they were distant relatives of God’s people. They were close to Judah, ready to continue to seeming never ending war.
The fact that they were relatives of God’s people gives us insight into the strategies of Satan. Judah had a history with Moab and Ammon, as I mentioned, some good and some bad.
But the fact that they were distant relatives speaks to me. Whenever the enemy causes us to worry, he normally chooses things close to home.
For instance, I see the numbers of Covid cases. While I pray for those effected by the virus, when a member of my family or someone in our church is one of those with the virus, I am more concerned.
I hear of people who face various illness, be it cancer or other diseases. But once it is my relative or someone in our church, I tend to worry a little bit more.
I know the statistics of those who are unchurched or backslidden. But when someone in my family is unchurched or someone in our congregation seems to backslide, those numbers become more real.
That is the nature of humans. We have compassion on those who are far from us. But when tragedy strikes close to home, the enemy clouds our emotions with worry.
We see that the enemy is the source of our worry. Therefore, we need to read on to discover...
2. The Strategies of War
2. The Strategies of War
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
Seeing that three nations united against Judah, Jehoshaphat was concerned. However, he shows what we must do when we face spiritual warfare.
He knew Judah needed to seek the Lord. He understood that their adversaries outnumbered them. Therefore, he followed the examples of Godly kings before him, he sought God for direction.
He did not consult his friends and commanders of the army. He did not look to those around him. No, he called the entire nation of Judah to fast and pray.
By calling them to fast, he showed how serious he was to receive help and direction from God. Fasting occurs when people remove the distractions of life to focus on God.
Often, fasting includes skipping a meal or meals, to focus on God. Jehoshaphat knew the importance of calling on God as a nation, therefore, he called ALL of the people to ask for God’s help.
Therefore, the entire nation fasted with one purpose, they were surrounded by enemies, they were worried, and they needed God’s supernatural help in receiving victory.
As they fasted, he gathered the entire nation together to pray. Before we look at the details of his prayer, I want to emphasize this strategy of waring with the enemy.
When we couple fasting WITH prayer, supernatural results are inevitable. Fasting without prayer is merely going without food. But when we pray and fast, God will reward us.
With a national attitude of seeking God, Jehoshaphat began to pray. I will paraphrase his prayer.
First, he established who God is and the power He possesses. He is God in heaven and He has dominion over all the nations of the world.
He acknowledged there is no God like Him. Because of who He is, no one can stand against Him.
Second, He reminded God of what He did for His people in the past. This was not the first time Judah faced problems. He drove out the inhabitants of the land before.
He promised to be a friend to God’s people. He has helped people who have trusted Him and worshipped Him in His presence.
Third, he brought his need to God. He acknowledged that the people of Moab, Ammon, and Mt. Seir were coming to them. He told God the depths of their concern and worry about the strength of their adversaries.
He summarized his prayer by saying:
12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Notice the strategy of Jehoshaphat. He was outnumbered and outmanned. On paper, the cause was hopeless and Judah should have surrendered to prevent thousands of casualties.
But Jehoshaphat did not allow his worry to confuse him in war. He needed God’s help, and the Lord was about to show him...
3. The Secret Weapon
3. The Secret Weapon
As the people were surrounded by the presence of God because of their prayer and fasting, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jahaziel. Listen to his prophecy:
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
Because of their diligence in prayer and fasting, God responded with a promise of hope, the battle is mine, not yours, so you do not need to do anything, but stand still and watch how I come through for you!
Think of trying to go to bed that night. They knew their adversaries were quickly approaching. They heard the word of the Lord that God would fight for them.
But they still did not know the secret weapon. There are times God will give us peace that our situation will work out for our good. However, He does not always offer specifics.
In these moments, we have to trust His word and believe Him. For when the timing is right, He will speak and show us what to do. For Jehoshaphat, clear direction came the next day.
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
Early the next morning, they prepared themselves for battle. They believed the Lord’s word and they readied themselves to watch God come through for them.
He appointed singers to go ahead of the army. Instead of sending out the strongest members of the army, carrying the best weapons, he sent out the musicians.
They had one instruction, SING TO THE LORD AND PRAISE HIM.
They obeyed with a simple song, Give thanks to the Lord, praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.
Through their praise, something supernatural occured. Confusion came upon their enemies. Instead of advancing to the people of Judah, they turned on each other.
The Moabites fought the Ammonites, who fought with the people from Mt. Seir. The people of God watched as they killed each other.
Judah’s victory came because they had a secret weapon. The weapons of their warfare were not physical. Instead, God gave them a strategy, birthed in prayer and fasting.
When they faced a battle, their secret weapon was praise. They praised God for who He is and what He does. Through their praise, they invited Him to come to their situation.
And when He arrived, their had a victory no person could have predicted.
Close:
The source of their worry was their enemies.
The strategy of their warfare was to pray and fast.
Their secret weapon was their praise.
In a short span of time, everything turned around. The story ends with the army spending three days gathering the plunder, the spoils of war.
The collected equipment, clothing, and precious jewels. There was so much, it took them three days to gather it all. They returned home with joy and everyone gathered together to PRAISE GOD!
Our situation is not that different from Jehoshaphat. Though we are not in a physical battle with three nations, we do face intense spiritual warfare.
The enemy has one goal for us:
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
He wants to destroy us. To do this, he will cause us to worry, fret, and fear what might happen to us.
Therefore, we must develop a walk with God that includes prayer and fasting. Then when the enemy comes in like a flood, we have a secret weapon.
We can open our mouths and begin to praise God.
3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
When we feel overwhelmed and overcome with worry, that is the time to start praising God.
I want this to settle in our spirits. Praise is more than singing for fifteen minutes before a message. No, praise should become an active part of our life.
There is power in our praise. Something supernatural happens when we can look at our situations and stand in the face of spiritual attacks, and muster the strength to praise God.
When we put on the garment of praise, the heaviness will begin to erode as we become surrounded in the presence of God.
No wonder the Psalmist sang:
1 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.
1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
For when we praise God, He sets up ambushes against our enemies. Because through His praise, His presence comes, and no demon in hell can withstand the presence of God.
Therefore, when worry consumes us, praise God.
When fear tries to overtake us, praise God.
When anxiety creeps in, praise God.
When questions arise and we do not have answers, praise God.
When we feel surrounded on all sides, praise God.
We lift our voice, we sing a new song, we clap our hands, we shout to God, we raise our hands, and we begin to praise Him and I can promise, WATCH, STAND STILL, and see how He comes through us.
Remember this, PRAISE IS OUR SECRET WEAPON. We are not exempt from Satan’s strategies. But we can overcome and make it through as we praise God.
So praise Him with me!