March 04, 2010

So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.

-Numbers 2:9

The tribe of Judah was privileged by God to lead Israel’s march through the wilderness.  God had already showed His blessing upon that tribe by causing them to increase in number to the largest of all the tribes.  Judah means “praise,” and this tribe was selected to raise the voice of praise as a battle cry for God’s people.  As the vast camp set out each day with the blowing of the trumpets, God was displaying to the world that His great Church sets out with a shout of praise.

The psalmist said, “God has ascended with a mighty shout. The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring. Sing praise to God, sing praises; sing praise to our King, sing praises!” (Psalm 47:5-6). The Church was created to praise the King. Clapping our hands and shouting with cries of joy are the most appropriate things we can do for the One who is the great King over all the earth!

Jehoshaphat taught God’s people to sing and shout as they went out into battle.  He “appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor” (2 Chronicles 20:21). As a result, the Lord used their praise to defeat their enemies.

What problem are you facing today? Why not “send Judah first” and watch the Lord fight the battle for you!

Daily Readings: Numbers 2:1-3:51 • Mark 11:27-12:17 • Psalm 47:1-9 • Proverbs 10:24-25

The One Year Devotional used by permission from Bethany World Prayer Center and Pastor Larry Stockstill . For more information, please see www.bethany.com or www.bccn.com.