FOCAL SCRIPTURE: “Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim” (1 Samuel 17:1 KJV)
In our focal scripture for this week, it is important to note that when the Philistines gathered their armies for battle against Israel, the first thing they did was to take charge of a domain in Judah. The Philistines began the battle against Israel by taking over the domain of Judah. Judah is a Hebrew name YEHUDAH which means PRAISE. In other words, when the enemies of Israel (Philistines) came to fight against them, their first port of call was the domain of Praise.
Brothers and sisters, is it not true that some of the times when the enemy comes to battle with us, the first thing he does is to attack our praise life? The enemy gives us reasons why we should not praise our God when we consider the things happening in our lives.
My brothers and sisters, the enemy understands that every time you praise God, you invoke His Presence, because the scripture tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). As such, the enemy will do anything to ensure that he denies you of God’s presence in your life.
Brothers and sisters, hear God’s word for you. God says, “No matter what happens to you, never allow the enemy to steal your praise”. Do not let the enemy to attack your praise. Do not allow the difficult challenges you are going through to become reasons why you should not praise God. Do not allow failures, hardship, disappointments etc to rob you of praise.
My brothers and sisters declare praise warfare and just like Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, you will see obstacles crumble in your presence in Jesus name.
Wishing you a praiseful week
Your brother
Chuka Duru
