*RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

Wednesday, December 14th .

Pastor Chris

*The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).*

Our opening scripture lets us know that God’s might, His power of deliverance, is activated through singing. There’re many problems that some Christians go through, but if they’d apply this scripture, they’ll experience great victories. The Spirit of God responds to singing, and He’ll save you from trouble with rejoicing.

Throughout history, great victories have been wrought because God’s people sang. Think about it: In *2 Chronicles 20*, Judah was surrounded and completely outnumbered by three enemy nations that were ready to attack them—Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir.

When the king was informed, he didn’t first consult with his army generals. He gathered all Judah to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting, and God said through a prophetic message, *“…fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).*

Jehoshaphat then appointed singers and placed them ahead of the army to praise the Lord. But here’s what I want you to observe: He gave them a simple Psalm to sing; just a short phrase. They sang, *“...Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21).* Then, the Lord confused the enemy’s camp, causing them to turn their swords against one another until they completely destroyed one another. Hallelujah!

In *Acts 16*, Paul and Silas were falsely accused and incarcerated. But *“…at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 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)*.

They didn’t ask God for deliverance; they only sang praises to God. They knew that if they’d praise the Lord, His power would be activated for their deliverance. In both examples we saw in the Scriptures, their salvation came, not before they would praise, but as they praised the Lord. Hallelujah!

When there’s trouble, when it seems the odds are against you, when there’s heat from every side, sing praises to God! Activate His power through songs of praise. Hallelujah!

*PRAYER*

*Dear Father, to you belong all greatness and might. All in heaven and earth are yours. You’re exalted above all. I love you, Lord; and I thank you, for you’re gracious, holy, righteous and true, in Jesus' Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:*

*1 Chronicles 29:10-13* Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed [be] thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

*Psalm 106:1-2* Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise?

*Psalm 145:4* One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan* Revelation 6 & Amos 1-4

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan* Revelation 13:1-10 & Micah 5-6