At its core, worship is a response to a revelation of God. It is a response of adoration, affection, allegiance and attention. It happens when we receive a revelation of who God is what He has done. Worship is not a means to an end. We do not worship to get something. We worship because of what Jesus has already purchased for us through His death and resurrection. When we try to use “worship” as a means to get what we want, it becomes tainted and really ceases to be true worship.
With that said, we must understand that we live in a broken world full of idolatry. God is not the only thing being worshiped. Although He is worthy to receive all glory from every tribe, tongue and nation, the sad truth is that millions of people of glorifying people or things other than Jesus. This reality means that there is a battle for the worship of men and women’s hearts and lives. The enemy (Satan and demons) and our sinful nature (what the Bible calls our “flesh”) are releasing a 24/7 assault against the worship of God.
More Than A Response
In the midst of this tension, worship becomes more than a response. It becomes offensive to that which is contradicting it. It becomes an act of warfare. It becomes a means to an end – a vehicle through which God’s kingdom comes to earth. It a broken world, worship becomes a declaration of the Gospel. It becomes intercession. It is not only a priestly act of sacrifice, but it is a kingly act of occupation. It is a manifestation of the victory of the cross. Our worship is a demonstration that Jesus has accomplished exactly what He wanted. While the spiritual battles of this life continue, the ultimate victory is secured. The outcome is decided. Our worship of God is actually collecting the spoils of the triumph of Christ!
Our core motivation to worship God must be because of who He is and what He has done. It must be because He is worthy of it. However, we also worship with the understanding that something powerful happens when we praise God and lives our lives surrendered to Him. Our worship manifests the conquest of Jesus. Our praise is a weapon.
Praise is a Weapon
King David was a worshiping warrior. He understood that praise and warfare go hand in hand.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand. Psalm 149:6
David established his entire kingdom around the presence of God with 24/7 worship around the ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, where thousands of Levites praised the Lord, prophesied and prayed around the clock. David’s reign experienced more victory in battle than any other king in Israel’s history.
King Jehoshaphat discovered this same idea when Israel was surrounded by enemies from multiple nations. After fasting, praying and receiving a prophetic word, God led them to put the singers before the army as they went out onto the battlefield. While I am sure it seemed crazy at the time, the songs accomplished far more than their swords and spears could. As they sang, God fought for them.
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. 2 Chronicles 20:22
The same principle that David and Jehoshaphat experienced in natural warfare, we can experience in spiritual warfare. In the midst of spiritual battle (which we are always in), turning to God in worship creates an environment on the earth where God can fight for us! When we turn our eyes off of our circumstances and onto the Lord, faith begins to rise in our hearts. Worry and stress begins to fade. God inhabits our praises, release His power and pushes back the darkness. As we worship., we align ourselves with the truth that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ, far above principalities and powers. As we sing and pray in tongues, we wield the sword of the Spirit.
Humble Warfare
The weapon of worship must by utilized with humility. Worship and pride can not coexist. If we think it is our songs or our expression of worship that is powerful, then we have missed the point. It is not what we have done that brings victory. Praise and worship reorients us towards our God who is victorious in Christ.
True worship leaves us keenly aware of the majesty and splendor of an omnipotent, holy and all-loving God. As we sing to and gaze upon the gracious Lamb of God, we become keenly aware of our need for Him. No, worshipful warfare is not arrogant or presumptuous. It is humble and trusting. It is Paul and Silas singing at midnight in the jail as their backs bleed. It is Joshua walking around Jericho as his enemies mock him. It is the seemingly foolish thing that confounds the wise.
Blow The Trumpet
It is with this idea of worship warfare that I wrote a song called Blow the Trumpet. It is one of the tracks from the 6:22 Relentless [live] ten year anniversary edition that was just re-released a few weeks ago (available everywhere you download or stream music).
The verse are prophetic declaration of the “army” that is rising. Each line focuses on a different value or truth that God is emphasizing to the Church in this hour such as holiness (nazirite), fasting, prayer, intercession, prophecy and unity.
Verse 1:
I see the worship warriors rising
I see the Nazarites sacrificing
I see the youth fasting and praying
I see the people who are tired of playing games
Verse 2
I see the intercessors crying
I see young and old prophesying
I see the sons of God unifying
For the glory of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord
The pre-chorus and chorus of the song are based on a spiritual application of the story of Joshua and Jericho.
Pre-Chorus:
Blow the trumpet let the people shout
Strongholds break and the walls fall down
Chorus:
For the Lord has given us the city
The Lord has given us the land
The bones are rising in the valley
The army is singing “Jesus reigns”
“The Lord has give us the city” is exactly what Joshua declares to Israel right before they shout and the walls of Jericho fall down. The “bones are rising in the valley” line is a reference to Ezekiel’s vision is chapter 37 where the Spirit of God breathes into and raises up an army from a valley of dry bones.
Finally, the bridge of the song gets to the heart of the matter with the simple refrain “I will put my hope in You, I will put my trust in You.” That is what worship warfare truly is. It is confident, and it is bold. But not because of our strength or abilities. It is faith and confidence in God’s power, His goodness and the victory found in Jesus.