“The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendour. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’ 2 Chronicles 20:21 (NLT)
When faced with an attack by three enemy armies, Jehoshaphat had an unusual battle strategy: “The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendour. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’” (2 Chronicles 20:21 NLT).
Would you agree this is an unusual way to organise an army? Imagine what the opposing armies thought when they saw the Israeli army led by a bunch of harpists and trumpeters.
The choir wondered what was going on too. But King Jehoshaphat had reminded them that the battle belonged to God, and if they believed in him, they would succeed. That’s why they were able to thank God in advance for their upcoming victory and then show him that they believed by putting the choir before the army.
Here’s the power of thanking God before your dream is completed: “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves” (2 Chronicles 20:22 NLT).
It doesn’t take much faith to thank God after he’s done something. The way you show God that you have faith that he will complete what he started in you is by thanking him in advance.
Jehoshaphat’s army didn’t lift a finger (except to play their instruments). How did they win the battle? They thanked God in advance. They believed he would take care of them and save them from their enemies. They showed faith in their battle formation. And then they watched as God gave them their breakthrough.
When are you going to start thanking God for how he’ll see your dream through? Begin today.
Father, I thank you for Your mighty works in my life and family this year. I believe you will do beyond my expectations IJN
Shalom!