My Morning with God-2 Chronicles 20:12-26

🕊️ Devotional Title: Praise Is My Weapon

📖 Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:12–26

💬 Key Verse:

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men… and they were defeated.”

— 2 Chronicles 20:22 (NIV)

📝 Devotional Reflection from my perspective.

As I sat in the sanctuary yesterday at City Worship Center, the word stirred something deep in me. The minister spoke from 2 Chronicles 20, and the phrase “Praise is my weapon”  was the title and echoed in my spirit like a battle cry. She reminded us that we don’t always need to swing a sword—sometimes, we need to lift a praise. Praise as a weapon is often underutilized but we corrected that issue yesterday. Praise is my weapon!

Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were surrounded by enemies, outnumbered and outmatched. Like many of us in real life—be it sickness, financial struggle, or grief—they had no clue how the battle would be won. But instead of panicking, they positioned themselves… in praise.

As a nurse, I’ve stood at bedsides where medicine failed but worship prevailed. I’ve praised God in hospital break rooms, in my car during lunch breaks, and in the stillness of night when anxiety tried to grip my heart. Praise has become my war cry—not because it changes the circumstance immediately, but because it shifts my position spiritually.

There are many forms of praise, each a powerful weapon in its own right:

• Yadah – lifting your hands in surrender.

• Tehillah – singing spontaneously from the heart.

• Barak – kneeling or bowing in reverence.

• Zamar – playing instruments in worship.

• Shabach – shouting in triumph.

• Halal – celebrating God foolishly and boastfully.

• Towdah – giving thanks even before the victory comes.

When Judah began to sing and praise, the Lord Himself fought for them. They didn’t lift a spear—they lifted a sound. And not only were their enemies defeated, but it took three days to gather the blessing from the battlefield (v. 25). That’s what praise will do—it confuses the enemy and prepares you to receive more than you lost.

💖 Personal Prayer:

Lord, today I choose to use praise as my weapon. When I’m surrounded by trials, teach me to lift my voice instead of my fists. Let every breath be an offering of worship. Remind me that You inhabit the praises of Your people and that when I praise, You move. Thank You for being the God who fights for me. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right Spirit in me!

Below are some Journaling Prompts to help us dig into this passage of scripture

🪔 Journaling Prompt:

1. What “enemy” are you currently facing in your life (fear, grief, confusion)?

2. Which form of praise do you feel drawn to today? Try practicing it intentionally.

3. Reflect on a time when praise shifted the atmosphere for you.

📣 Declaration:

I will praise God before the breakthrough, during the battle, and after the blessing. My praise is not passive—it’s my weapon of warfare. Victory is in my worship!