MAY 16 – SHOUT!

“Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city” (Joshua 6:16).

Joshua reveals the secret behind the victory of the Israelites, which was the shouts of praise. When they walked around the Jericho fort blowing the trumpet and shouting the praises, it broke and fell. The big walls fell flat. There is great power in the shout of praise. When a man praises Lord loudly, the dominance and power of the darkness in his heart get broken. Evil powers are driven away when the Lord who is amidst glorious praises, comes into one’s heart. The presence of God’s glory fills in and he emerges victorious.

Next, the hurdles of Jerichos, which are lying outside, get broken. The hostile Hamans get cleared. The blessings which remained blocked thus far arrive. Jericho belonged to the gentiles who were unwise and idol worshippers, and the shout of praise alone helped in conquering it. You may also use the shout of praise to win over the oppositions faced in the work-spot or within the family. God will surely give you success.

David has often experienced the power of the shout of praise, he insists you to use the same weapon during your times of distress. He says, “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet” (Psalm 47:1, 5).

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. With trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the Lord, the King” (Psalm 98:4, 6). In the New Testament also, are not Paul and Silus teaching this from their great successes?

Even while they were lodged in a dark prison, they continued to sing and praise God. It shook the foundation of the prison. “…all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were loosed” (Acts 16:26). Dear children of God, learn to praise God from today. God will graciously give you a great deliverance.

To meditate: “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing,……For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel” (Isaiah 44:23).