A Time For Praise

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: General | Jul 1968

"When the adversary shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" (Isaiah 59.19, R.V.M.)

"When they [Judah] began to sing and to praise, ... the children of Ammon... were smitten" (2 Chronicles 29.22).

It was a critical time for Judah A great multitude had come against them and, humanly speaking, the outlook was dark. Judah was hopelessly outnumbered, and Jehoshaphat knew it, and feared. Well he might! But he was a wise man, and he did what wise men do - he set himself to seek the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Fasting makes prayer more real to us. And so all Judah came to seek the LORD. Jehoshaphat was a good leader. In front of all the congregation of the people the king prayed, ascribing greatness to God, and claiming the promise to Solomon that if they sought the LORD in His house, with the whole heart, then He would hear them and deliver them (1 Kings 8.33-34). They fulfilled the conditions, and God fulfilled the promise. "Fear not ye," said the prophet Jahaziel, "the battle is not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20.15).

We need to hear such prophetic words again today. Some are cast down at the prospect before us. It seems so difficult today, as the enemy seems to come in like a flood. What shall we do? Let us learn from Jehoshaphat. At the words of the prophet, he bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all the people fell down, worshipping the LORD (verse 18). The Levites stood up to praise the LORD with an exceeding loud voice. It was a time for praise. When the enemy comes in like a flood, it is time to raise the banner of praise. Someone has written

"All times are times for praising Thee

When triumphing by faith;

The power of Christ our Lord we see

To conquer sin and death."

Praise wrought the victory for Jehoshaphat, and praise will work the victory for us. How encouraging were his words to the people, "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper" (verse 20). And then like a wise man, he took counsel with his people. He did not rush on alone, He took his people into his confidence in all that he did, and so they were one in heart. In this there is a good lesson for leaders among God's people. Then the king appointed them to sing unto the LORD, and to praise the beauty of holiness, as the army went out to the battle. The result was victory, for the LORD wrought for them, and they called the place Beracah (blessing). The LORD fought against the enemies of Judah and the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet.

The days we live in are dark and difficult. Sin comes in like a flood. The response to our work seems very meagre. The world rulers of this darkness seem to prevail. What shall we do? Shall we retire into our halls and endeavour to keep our own souls? Nay! We are called to show out the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. The battle is not ours, but God's. This is a time for Praise! Jehoshaphat trusted in the word of the prophet and went out praising, to victory. We also have the word of the LORD, "Go ye therefore, ... and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world". It is time to advance-with praise. Let our prayer meetings resound with praise and thanksgiving. The enemy has come in like a flood, but the Spirit of the LORD will raise up a banner against him. The Spirit of the LORD can do it through us. Let us praise and pray expectantly, for God is greater than His foes, and the battle is His.

In the prison two men were lying. It was their first visit to this town, and now they are in prison, their backs sore with beatings, and their feet fast in the stocks. But they knew the power of praise, and at midnight they sang and prayed, and the LORD wrought for them, and for Himself, bursting the prison doors. The jailor and his household turned to the Lord, and a church of God was planted in Philippi. How was it done so quickly? It was done with praise!

Let the Israel of God go forward; forward in praise; forward to victory. Here is a verse of a hymn written by Chinese believers in Red China in 1953:

"Though the world may change its fashion,

Yet our God is still the same.

His compassion and His covenant

Through all ages will remain.

God's own children

Must forever praise His Name."

Those Chinese believers might well have quailed before the onslaught against them, for the enemy had come in like a flood, but some of them had learned the secret of victory. "This is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith". (I John 5.4), and praise is faith exulting. This is a time for praise.

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Jul 1968
General