Let Your Praises Ascend to Heaven

In Second Chronicles 20 we read that King Jehoshaphat received a frightening message: “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria. . . . And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:2–3).

Terrified, Israel’s King Jehoshaphat called together a great prayer meeting: “Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord” (20:4). As the people came together to seek God, Jehoshaphat prayed, “Lord, we don’t know what to do. But our eyes are on You!” (20:12)

Here was perhaps one of the darkest hours for Israel. They were facing annihilation and had no way to stop the invading enemy. What was God’s answer to His people in that hour? “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

When the people heard this word, something stirred inside them. They had heard a word from the Lord. Now, during their darkest hour, faith rose up in their hearts — and they began to praise (2 Chronicles 20:18-19).

The Spirit of the Lord appeared in the midst of the congregation. And as the people’s praises ascended to heaven, the Lord sent a powerful angel to ambush the approaching enemy. Imagine how one angel of God slew that entire army!

In a single, swift moment, victory was theirs. What seemed to God’s people a dark hour became for them God’s hour of deliverance.