10 Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. 1st Samuel 7:10
In our anchor scripture today, the Israelites had heard that the Philistines were advancing to war with them. Bible records in the preceding verses, that they were very afraid, especially as they had very recently experienced a devastating defeat from the hands of the Philistine army. They ran to Samuel who was at the time, the judge over Israel, and begged him to cry out to God on their behalf. Samuel offered a burnt offering unto the Lord and cried unto God. Scripture records what happened next so beautifully and vividly. It says while Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and as the Philistines marched menacingly towards the children of Israel, the Lord thundered with a loud thunder, and confused them!
Hear this – Praise will confuse the enemy! Notice how the Philistines began to march closer when Samuel began to offer up the sacrifice? In the same way, when you start praising, it may look as though things are getting worse! The enemy may send things your way to frighten you! The army may seem to be marching menacingly towards you but if you keep at it! If you continue with your uninterrupted praise, refusing to shift your focus and your gaze from the one to who all praise is due, the LORD will send His thunder and cause confusion in the camp of the enemy!
Is sickness marching menacingly towards you? Is the enemy eroding your marriage? Is lack knocking at your door? Is un fulfillment staring you in the face? Whatever the kind of enemy it is this morning, praise will cause an immediate release of the power of God! The potency of praise cannot be overemphasized! Note again how the scripture records that God came through for Israel while Samuel was still offering the sacrifice! God didn’t wait for the sacrifice to be over! He showed up!
For someone, all else may have failed! You may have prayed. You may have fasted. You may have declared. You may have decreed and yet, nothing has happened. This morning please consider taking out time to praise God! To truly offer up a sacrifice of praise! To sacrifice is to give up something of value – it could be your time, or your money or your energy. Whatever it is, praise God with it! He will show up and confuse the enemy to the extent that he will retreat from your life!
This is your season! This weapon of war shall work for you!
Prayer:
Father in the name of Jesus. Thank you for your word today. Please Give us the grace to praise you like we have never praised before! Take all the glory Almighty God, in Jesus mighty name we have prayed!
If God has spoken to you through this message or if you have been blessed in anyway by this, please drop me a line on audio[email protected].
Remember, wrapped up in God’s word is ALL you need for your change to come!
