November 21, 2024
" Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.”
- Psalms 8:2 (NKJV)
In an earlier devotion, we examined how we can provoke dominion through praise. We focused on the first part of our bible text that showed us that even in our weakest moments, we can draw on the strength of God within us when we praise Him. Today we will look at the second part of our bible text to see how praise can be used as potent weapon to silence our enemies and avengers.
From our bible text, as believers, we have enemies and avengers. Any situation that makes us feel supressed, pressured, depressed, oppressed and stressed is an enemy and we can overcome such situation by praising God. God expects us to rule over all situations and this is because the only language the enemy understands is power.
Fear opens the door for the enemy to have access and work in the lives of believers, but power and boldness shuts the door against the enemy and makes him submit, or flee from us Psalms 66:3 says, “Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” This power mentioned in this scripture is embedded in our praise. Problems remain until we, as believers, manifest power.
Praise is a potent weapon that silences the enemy and the avenger.
When you are faced with a challenging problem and enemy, do not feel helpless and defeated. There is something you can do which is to praise! Praise is a potent weapon is that silences the enemy and the avenger. The avenger only attacks and targets people because they did something wrong in the past. The avenger comes to execute vengeance or judgment.
God is saying even if you have committed an atrocity that has triggered the avenger to mete out judgment against you, through praise, you can avert that judgement and vengeance. Here, the essence of praising God is to silence the avenger, so the avenger has nothing against you. In Luke 7:44-47, the avengers in the room were ready to judge the sinful women but instead of focusing on them, she started to praise and worship God by breaking the alabaster box. Worship diverted the avenger.
Similarly, in John 8:3-11, the woman who was caught in adultery was brought to Jesus by the avengers ready to stone her to death to avenge the law. There was no way of escape for the woman. In verse 11, she worshipped Jesus by acknowledging him as Lord and this averted her avengers. As you worship God, every enemy and legitimate avenger in your life will be silenced in Jesus’ name.
Song of Worship
This is how I fight my battles (yeah, yes)
This is how I fight my battles
This is how I fight my battles
Song: Just when you think you're lost by Michael W. Smith
Prayer - Dear Lord, as I praise You, silence very stubborn enemy and avenger in my life. In Jesus name – Amen.