Warfare with Praise on our Lips

Have you ever considered that praise is warfare? Or…at the very least…something that goes hand-in-hand with warfare? In Psalm 149:5,6, the psalmist says, “Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand…” The psalmist indicates that we are to be joyful, to even praise and sing to God on our beds, but it is in verse 6 that he seems to suggest that praise and warfare should be simultaneous, that we are to have “high praises” in our mouth and a two-edged sword in our hand.

Hebrews 4:12 declares, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” And Ephesians 6:13a,17, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God…And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…”

We are to do warfare with praise on our lips and the Word of God in our hand…and it’s more than having the Word of God in our hand but it is having God’s Word hidden in our heart and mind ready to lead us and us ready to properly use it and speak it into the spiritual realm like our Savior did. In Luke 4, when satan came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, how did Jesus, Son of the Living God, respond and combat the enemy? With Scripture.

And look also at this Old Testament example in the time of King Jehoshaphat: “And when [King Jehoshaphat] 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.’ 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.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 That’s incredible! They had the praise of God and Scripture on their lips and the Lord defeated their enemies!

God told the people before this battle through Jahaziel, “Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…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.” 2 Chronicles 15b,17

Today, remember, the battle is the Lord’s, He goes before you, He has equipped you for the fight; let His high praise be in your mouth and His Word in your hand. Whatever you come against today, remember to be immersed in praise and Scripture.