“Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! Habakkuk 3: 18-19
In the midst of a great battle? Hear it approaching in the distance? Just want power in your daily walk as a Christian? Want to stand firm regardless of the storm or battle that is raging against you? Worship!
One of my favorite “battle” stories in the Bible comes from 2 Chronicles 20. In this passage, King Jehoshaphat is sent word that a “great multitude” was coming against him and his people.
I don’t know about you, but as for ME, I would have just freaked out! Stress is not the word!
Oh, but Jehoshaphat did the RIGHT thing…he immediately “…set himself determinedly, as his vital need, to seek the Lord.” He proclaimed a fast in the whole land. What was the answer for the battle that was on the horizon? Praise! Worship! What a way to battle!!
Yes! The Spirit of the Lord came upon them. He instructed them to do just a few things:
Show up to the battlefield
Stand still
Watch God battle for them
And my point in sharing this passage: SING AND PRAISE God!
When we show up, stand still, look unto God, we please Him. However, nothing seems to unleash Him to do the battle like PRAISE and WORSHIP!
Oh, I am not talking about praise and worship like we have at most of our churches. I am talking about a lifestyle of praise and worship! Not just something we do for 10-15 minutes on Sunday Morning. I am talking about 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am talking about praise and worship like David knew. You know, when he could soothe his enemy with his praise and worship? When he could dance in the streets in total abandonment as a worship to the Lord in spite of the opinions of those he loved the most (his wife)? When he could pray prayers and sing songs that could woo the heart of God?
I want this kind of worship! I want to praise God with all I am! Because of this, I make praise and worship a part of every day. You can too! How? Here are some QUICK and EASY tips:
- Collect your favorite praise and worship verses from the Bible. Some of my personal favorites have been found in the pages of the Psalms. I also LOVE Bible prayers from the GIANTS of the faith. Begin your collection today! Copy them in your own Discipleship Notebook. Use them as your prayers. Read them when you need a word of encouragement. Memorize them. Hummm…I guarantee that whatever your situation may be today, you will find that this will be a key to warfare.
- Collect your favorite praise and worship songs and hymns. I keep copies of my favorites in my journal. They are great for prayers and praise during those moments that I hear the rumbling of the enemies’ feet! I also have a wonderful collection of my favorite praise and worship songs. You may also want to CD’s or podcasts that feature your favorite songs and hymns. I keep all of mine on my iPod, ready-to-go with me anywhere I go (even to clean out the closet! :D). I pop on my headset in when I am working on the computer, cleaning my house, riding down the road, or sneaking away for a walk at the park. Anytime, anywhere can easily become a place of worship of our God.
- Write your own prayers/songs of worship! YOUR story is SO vital! One of my favorite NEW books is a compilation of simple prayers and thoughts written by the mother of one of my high school friends, Ginny Traylor. Ginny’s faithfulness is journaling through her life has inspired me anew to keep even more organized journals of my journey. What may seem simple, may actually bring the greatest glory to the Lord for those that come behind us.
- Finally, KNOW the power of praise and worship! Just as we see here in 2 Chronicles 20, worship unleashes the Lord to battle FOR US. Our worship is a sweet, sweet aroma offered to our precious Lord. It is our ministry TO HIM personally. Only in the midst of battle can we offer the sweet sacrifice of praise, it is no “sacrifice” when all is easy and fun. Then, watch out for Jehovah Nissi, our Lord Who battles for us. He fights FOR US! Those battles are not ours—they are the Lord’s.
So, hear the enemy coming? Fall flat on your face! Inquire upon the Lord! Pull out those beloved verses…songs…and even your own feeble prayers of worship to God. Oh, then. Watch what happens. You can stand still, watch, and see the battle fought by your Jehovah Nissi!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever!” 2 Chronicles 20: 21
