By the time of the American Revolution, many of the great wartime artillery pieces we are now familiar with were commonplace. Short cannons, called mortars, and the long guns we picture as cannons had been in use for centuries. Using the raw power of gunpowder and deadly projectiles, they changed the outcome of history.
They both had a major drawback, though. Mortars and long guns had to be primed before they could be fired. And priming was a full time occupation. It took six highly trained soldiers to operate a Revolutionary artillery piece, plus the officers over them. If the soldiers assigned to prime the weapon were killed, the gun was useless.
In our earthly battle against the evil one, we are the soldiers, and Christ is our officer in charge. He commands us, but it is our job to keep the war machine primed.
How can we keep God’s war machine primed? Is it with black powder and shells? A rammer and priming irons? No. God requires something of us at once much simpler and at the same time much greater.
He requires our praise.
Illustration #1:
In 2 Chronicles 7:6 David the king instructed the Levites to praise God using instruments of music. David raised his voice in a shout, and the priests sounded trumpets before the people. In the midst of the praise, the entire nation of Israel stood in tribute before the Lord. Through their praise, his power and strength grew strong in them.
When we stand before God with our hearts filled with praise, he comes to us, and he imbues us with his power, for he inhabits the praise of his people.
Illustration #2:
In 2 Chronicles 8:14-16 Solomon continued his father David’s orders for thanksgiving to be lifted unto the Lord. The Levites sang praises before the priests. Buoyed by the songs of praise, the House of the Lord was completed, and God was honored.
When we face a seemingly impossible task, and we are certain that the enemy is ready to overtake us, we only need to lift our hands in thanksgiving, and God will give us strength.
Illustration #3:
2 Chronicles 20:19 finds Judah on the eve of an overwhelming battle. Jehoshaphat, Solomon’s son, is now king. The Ammonites, Moabites, and children of Mount Seir have come against him, yet God has promised a great victory.
What does Israel do the night before the battle? Sharpen their swords? File the tips of their spears? No, they stand up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a mighty cry of thanksgiving.
Illustration #4:
2 Chronicles 20:21-23 tells the story of the morning of the battle. The singers went out before the army, and they began to raise their voices in praise before the Lord. God sent angels amongst the enemy to confuse them. Those who had come against Israel turned upon one another, fighting until all were dead.
Praising God won the battle, and not a man of Judah was harmed. In addition, the men of Judah found more riches and precious jewels among the dead than they could carry away.
Our Revolutionary forefathers won the victory with mortar and artillery. We win the battle with praise unto the Almighty God.
When we lift our voices in praise unto the Father, he goes into battle before us and gives us the victory.
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