Worship is a Weapon
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
2 Chronicles 20:22 (NIV)
Sometimes, people say I’m not much of a worship person. I like the sermons, but I don’t really sing. However, if they fully understood the potency and purpose of worship, they wouldn’t say that. Worship is a weapon. It is powerful in good seasons but a wrecking ball in difficult seasons. I have had times in my life when I couldn’t really do anything but sing, and those were some of the most powerful moments in my life as I proclaimed the truths of God.
Worship defeats the enemy, as we see above. We must remember that we worship before seeing the victory in our lives. Praise precedes the provisions of God. Too many people think when the circumstances are right, then I'll worship. You can spend a lifetime waiting for things to be perfect. Worship defeats the enemy, and it stirs our spirit. In the verse above, we see God works in unique ways when people begin to worship. Part of the reason is God is drawn to faith. God doesn’t need our worship. He delights in it, but He doesn’t need it. Worship doesn’t remind God who He is. He already knows. Worship reminds us who God is, which causes us to sing with faith and expectation, and that’s when God meets us. When we praise, we actively fight against the spiritual forces of evil. The enemy cannot stand in the presence of true worship and will often flee when confronted with it.
In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas were in prison, and instead of giving up or becoming hopeless, they began to worship. Worship was their weapon. As they praised, an earthquake shook the prison foundations, and their chains fell off. Worship has the power to release God's miraculous power and deliverance. Praise and worship are powerful weapons in spiritual warfare. When we focus on God's greatness, we invite His presence to fight on our behalf.
Application: Worship today before, not after, you see victories in your life.
Prayer: Ask God to give you a heart for worship. Look up lyrics to a worship song you love and pray those back to God. Ask the Spirit to make you a person who worships in spirit and truth.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?