Jesus, We Enthrone You

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Psalms 22:3 ESV

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence. For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. Psalms 9:1-4

When God’s people raise their voices in praise, they provide Him with a throne to rule and reign in their midst. What a great picture. When the Presence sits on the throne of our praise, the enemy flees and stumbles. The presence of God in our gatherings is the ultimate remedy for the oppression and threats of our enemy.

I can’t help thinking of the story in 2 Chronicles 20 of the land of Judah under King Jehoshaphat. Three kings and their armies were bearing down on Jerusalem. When he heard the news, Jehoshaphat called for fasting and prayer. The result was a word from God: “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” He gave them the exact location of the enemy and the plan of battle, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD.”

The next day, Jehoshaphat positioned the worshippers in front of the army and they began to sing, “Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.” When they crested the hill, they saw the enemy already dead. The Lord had turned them against one another, and they did all the work themselves. Israel just marched in and carried away the spoil.

When the enemy is coming and the bad reports abound, that’s a great time to gather with the saints and give thanks to God. “Praise the Lord! For the Lord is Good and His mercy endures forever.” Come on, pick any tune you like and sing it with me. “For the Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever.” As we build Him a throne with our praise, His Presence will surely turn back the enemy and allow us to see the salvation of the Lord. Let’s go to church!