Scriptural Reading:  II Chronicles 20:21-27

‘‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.’’  Acts 16:25-26 (KJV)

On April 13, 2014, was a Sunday, the spirit of the Lord led me into worship. I was alone in my little apartment when the worship began and it was a time out with the Almighty creator. I worshipped God for some time and I never knew He was preparing to save me from a bomb blast scheduled for the following day being April 14. April 14, 2014, was a black Monday at Nyanya, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria. That morning I woke up, did all my necessary obligations and was set for work. I found myself patrolling my street from one end to another in search of a vehicle that would take me to the office and this exercise continued for a while and little did I know God was delaying me to save my soul from destruction. Eventually, I was able to get a car and we moved, and as we were approaching Nyanya Market the bomb blast erupted and many people lost their lives. If I had left my house earlier I would have been a victim of that circumstance. I worshipped God and He gave me victory over bomb blast. Prayer strengthens the spirit, but praises send an invitation to God which He honours.

Our Bible passage was a case of victory without a fight, Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing and to praise the Almighty God and God instigated the enemies against themselves and they helped to destroy one another while the children of Israel walked gallantly to victory. Praises and worship are silver bullets to victory. Through praises, the wealth of the enemies were transferred to the children of Israel from our scriptural reading.

God inhabits the praises of His people and He wants all humankind to always praise Him at all times. This is what He enjoys and He wants us to always give Him quality praises.

Have we been battling with any serious challenge that has refused to cease?  Then let us begin to praise God for giving us victory over such a stubborn situation in advance and let us see if God will not act speedily on our behalf today. Here comes a comforting scripture we can always hold on to for triumph. Jeremiah 20:13 (KJV) Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

Dear God, I thank you for all the victories you have given to me and my family, grant me your Holy Spirit Divine to enable me to praise you at all times and to become addicted to praise you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

                                When we praise, God plays the warrior

                                                                                                      -The Writer-

OGBAJIBREDE Onome is an Evangelist and a Devotional Writer who inspires and encourages people to come closer to God. His Devotional has featured on Exploits Christian Magazine. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution and can be contacted via [email protected]