The power of singing and praise

“And when they began the song of triumph and praise, Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, who had come against Judah, and they were smitten.” (2 Chronicles 20:22)

Some evangelists were encamped in a certain indian village where the work had been carried on for thirty years. The farm servants had for years been putting off the question of deciding for Christ. They were now in the habit of saying, "Not now during the harvest, but afterwards when it is over." So, alas! Every year it had ended with:

"The harvest is past, the summer ended, and we are not saved." (Jer. 8:20)

This mission party were so disheartened by their previous experiences that on this occasion they had made up their minds to leave early next morning. That night someone suggested they should all go into the village and sing the Gospel in it. This they did, and they were so carried away that they sang on and on till after midnight.

Next morning they were preparing to leave when a young man came running from the village. He begged them not to go away, for the Panchayat (council) had been called and was meeting even now. No one had gone to work that morning; they were considering whether they should not at once decide for Christ and confess Him before all men. They gladly waited, and presently the same young man came running back with the welcome news that they had all decided to serve Christ.

They found some fifteen men - mostly the heads of families - quite prepared for baptism, and they baptized them. After the service that same young man who had brought the message - a new convert said: "This is the result of your singing last night.”

"You remember how we sang:

Lift up your heads, O ye gates,

And let the King of Glory enter in!”

"Has He not entered in this morning?" No one had noticed till then the connection between the song of triumph of the night before and the reality of that triumph of the next morning until they learnt it from this babe in Christ. Yes, verily,

“Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise."

No fisher can possibly throw his line lightly when he is dull and sad. It is only the bright and joyous soul that can win souls to Christ. Notice how St. Paul connects these two in Philippians 4. He is speaking of his fellow-laborers or fellow-fishers and of their success in the work. Then he goes on as if to give the reason for this success and how it may be continued:

“Rejoice in the Lord always,

And again I say unto you rejoice.”

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