Psalm 34:1
I will bless The Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth…

DAILY READING – Acts 7:1-22; Deuteronomy 29-30; Job 18

During the 1800’s, the French General George Muller Massena who took orders from Napoleon, arrived at a quaint and militarily important Austrian town. As his 18,000 soldiers were gearing up for their invasion, the stunned Austrian citizens were quite terrified. Knowing they were about to be beaten, killed, sold into slavery, or worse, they laid down plans for a counter attack.
What did they do? Since their death seemed imminent, they decided to go to church and praise God. Figuring their only defense would be direct intervention from God, they began to ring the church bells and praised God loudly.
When the Church service eventually ended, the Austrian prayer warriors opened the church doors not knowing what to expect. But to their uter surprise they found that the entire French battalion had vacated. It turned out that the French General Massena incorrectly confused the ringing of the church bells for what he thought was the announcement of the arrival of the entire Austrian army. The city was saved, and Christ was glorified.
A similar story of God’s amazing rescue takes place in the Bible in First Kings chapters 18 and 19. In these passages, the people of God led by King Hezekiah were in fear over the threats of Sennacherib. While Sennacherib has his forces mounted, assembled, and in line for a massive attack, King Hezekiah, like the people in Austria, went to the Lord in prayer, asking Him to rescue his people so that all the kingdoms of the earth would know He is the Lord.
That very night the LORD’s messenger went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. The next morning, there were all dead bodies lying around.
God saved His people by sending just “one messenger”, one angel who destroyed 185,000 soldiers.
Exodus 15:11 declares that God is glorious in holiness, and fearful in praises, doing wonders. Indeed there is deliverance power in praise. The wonder working power of God is often seen in the midst of praises. When we ring the joy bells in the face of troubles and trials, God’s power to deliver arises. In 2 Chronicles 20, when king Jehoshaphat was outnumbered by enemies, he engaged the weapon of praise. As God arose for his deliverance the enemies were destroyed. It takes praise to engage God’s Presence.
Let us therefore keep praising God as this year comes to an end. In everything let us keep thanking Him. Indeed God has done marvelously well for us this year. He has fought battles for us, seen and unseen. He has slain goliaths and parted red seas for us. He has made a way where there seemed to be no way. Let us therefore, bless Him for His miracles we have seen this year. And as we praise Him, there are Sennacherib and his Assyrian forces that God will be dealing with for our sakes.

As we engage in high praises, God will come down in our midst. And when God steps into our affairs, every enemy of pain, poverty, sickness, infirmity etc, will be scattered faraway from us forever in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank and praise You. Indeed You have done all things well for me. As this year comes to a conclusion, I ‘thank You’ for all Your faithfulness towards me and my family. Indeed I am very grateful in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.