Mensa Otabil - Singing After the Battle (10/06/2025)
This week we’ve been talking about singing, praising God, and worshiping the Lord. We’ve discussed singing a new song to the Lord, singing the right words, the Word of God, and singing about God’s works. We’ve talked about shouting and going into warfare, and we’ve discussed facing the enemy through singing. Today, we’re looking at what to do after the battle.
The people of Judah went into battle singing. They won a victory singing. What do they do after the battle? In 2 Chronicles, chapter 20, verses 27 and 28, it says, «Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.» So they came to Jerusalem with string instruments and harps and trumpets to the house of the Lord. They returned singing.
Many times, God does great things for us; we worship Him, we engage, we achieve victory, and then we forget about the Lord. But that’s not what they did. What we see here is a sequence of events. First, the passage says that they returned together safely; every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned. Can you imagine this battle where none of them were supposed to survive? There were three armies against them; they were outnumbered. Yet here they come, unharmed-nothing missing, nothing lost. May God grant you that kind of victory where you come out and find nothing missing and nothing lost.
We also realize that the king is the one leading the praise and the worship. He set the praise team together when they went into battle. To show his gratitude to the Lord, he leads the praise team; he’s part of the worship team now. He’s forgotten about his title, his privilege, and his power, simply thanking the Lord. When God does great things for you, you must come humbly before Him. Don’t let God’s promotion become a hindrance to your praise. There are times when God lifts us to high places, and we think it’s too much for us to praise the Lord. But the king realized this victory is from the Lord, and we need to give Him the praise back. May you return with a song of praise in your mouth.
The Bible says they returned rejoicing in the Lord. If the Lord had not been on their side, they would have faced defeat, but they had the victory because of the Lord. Instead of returning with mourning, tears, and sadness, they came rejoicing because what was considered impossible has happened. What was supposed to be their doom has become their glory. The Lord has overturned the expectations of the wicked and changed the story of the children of Judah. May the same Lord change your story as you worship Him, as you praise Him, and as you face challenges with praise and worship. May you return with a testimony, as the enemy will be disappointed because God gives victory to His children.
I particularly appreciate the part of the passage that states they returned to the house of the Lord. I’m glad they didn’t just return to their homes, which is what most people would have done after the battle. Everyone goes home and thanks God for their safety. However, they realized where the source of their victory came from, so they returned to the house of the Lord. There are many people whom God blesses, but after He blesses them, they leave the house of the Lord. They don’t return to honor Him. But these people understood that this battle started with the Lord, and it ends in praise to the Lord. They returned to the house of the Lord.
This week, we’ve learned so much about singing. When I talk about singing, it’s not just singing any song; it’s about singing in praise and worship, waiting on the Lord, watching Him take us into battle and bring us back safely. May the Lord grant you victory in the coming week. Let us pray.
Say with me: Heavenly Father, thank You for all the many victories You have given me. I return with songs and praise to You. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen. You will also return with praise and songs, and next week I will start something new. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.