Be an Overcomer Through Praise

"God is not responding to your prayer. You've prayed for this so many times. Just give up." I picked up my Bible, and read through the book of Colossians in self-defense. In one verse Paul tells us to live in Christ "overflowing with thankfulness," so I decided to praise the Lord.

Satan whispered, "You're just doing that to get help." But I kept praising the Lord as I went about my work. Soon I noticed that the doubting temptations had fled. Satan likes to hurl his fiery darts, but we hurl fiery darts back at him when we praise God.

James tells us to, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (4:7). Satan is repelled by praise. After King Jehoshaphat's army had prayed and fasted, the Israelites went into battle praising God. (2 Chronicles 20). The evil spirits controlling their enemies became so confused that the enemy soldiers turned on each other.

This battle that was fought with praise was the only battle in the Old Testament in which the Israelites needed three days to gather the spoils.

Praise gives an increased abundance. In Leviticus 19:23-25, God instructed the Israelites not to pick the fruit from their fruit trees for three years. Then in the fourth year they were to offer the fruit to the Lord as a holy sacrifice in praise and thanksgiving for God's blessing in giving them fruit. "In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God" (vs. 25). The Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament comments that these commands were not given simply because the trees will bear more plentifully if blossoms or fruit are broken off the first three years although this would occur. Rather, the increase would result from their obedience accompanied by praise.

I praise You, Lord, that when faith takes the tangible form of praise, Satan alwaysflees.

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise"(Hebrews 13:15).

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