Worship As A Battle Plan
Can worship change the outcome of a battle? Explore how passionate worship magnifies Christ, breaks fear, and empowers us to face life’s challenges with faith.
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15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
Worship: A Misunderstood Battle Tactic
For many, on Sunday mornings, we wake up, shower, put on some nice clothes, and attend a place of worship. However, worship is designed to be a verb, not merely something we attend.
Sometimes, in our attendance, we can overlook and misunderstand what worship is, why we worship, and what’s at stake in worship.
The story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 offers a powerful lesson on the transformative power of worship and praise. Imagine an army of hundreds of thousands bearing down on your nation, intent on destruction. This was the dire situation facing Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. It's no wonder the Bible tells us "Jehoshaphat was afraid” (2 Chronicles 20:3). Fear is a natural human response to threat.
However, instead of succumbing to panic, Jehoshaphat breaks the cycle of fear by entering into a cycle of faith. He "set his face to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3). The entire nation assembled to seek God's help through prayer and fasting. When fear grips us, the way to break free is to break into faith.
Too often, when we face crises, we look for earthly solutions or distractions. We might seek alliances, run away, or numb ourselves. But Jehoshaphat shows us a better way. He turns his eyes to God, moving from self-reliance to complete dependence on the Almighty.
As the people pray, God speaks through a prophet with an astounding message: "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s" (2 Chronicles 20:15). What follows is one of the most unusual battle strategies in history. God instructs them to simply stand firm and watch His salvation. The tactical step? Sing praises to the Lord!
This might seem absurd from a human perspective. Imagine facing a vast army with nothing but songs on your lips. Yet, this is precisely what Jehoshaphat and Judah do. As they begin to sing and praise, the Lord causes confusion among the enemy forces, who turn on each other and self-destruct.
This incredible victory shows that worship is more than just a religious exercise—it’s a powerful spiritual weapon. When we magnify God through praise, we're not just expressing adoration (though that's vital) but also engaging in spiritual warfare. The Psalmist tells us that God is "enthroned on the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3). Our worship becomes a throne for God's presence and power to manifest.
In Psalm 8:2, the psalmist shares: "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." Even the simplest, most humble praise has the power to silence the lies and accusations of the enemy.
How Worship Transforms Us
The Apostle Paul directly connects worship and the Holy Spirit's power in our lives. In Ephesians 5, he instructs believers to "be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." Our praise and worship stir up the flame of God's presence within us, empowering us to face life's battles.
Passionate worship is about more than just emotion or musical skill. It's about allowing God to build a deep reverence and magnification of Christ within us. Like the Cologne Cathedral, which took 632 years to construct, developing a life of passionate worship takes time and intentionality. God is a master builder, not a magician, and He invites us to cooperate with His work in our hearts.
C.S. Lewis described worship as "inner health made audible." A passionate worshiper learns to praise God not based on fleeting emotions but on the unchanging truths of who He is and what He's done. They discipline their minds to focus on God's character and promises, even in difficult circumstances.
This kind of worship transforms us. It gives us a sense of purpose and destiny, filling us with confidence in God. People who are confident in God do great things for His kingdom and find deep meaning and satisfaction in life. They discover that their greatest joy comes from bringing glory to their Creator.
The next time you face a daunting "army" in your life – whether it's fear, illness, relational strife, or any other challenge – remember Jehoshaphat. Instead of giving in to fear, break into passionate praise. Magnify the greatness of God above your problems. Let your worship become a weapon that silences the enemy and ushers in God's presence and power.
As one songwriter beautifully expressed: "That's why we praise Him, this is why we sing. This is why we offer Him our everything." May we be people who magnify Jesus Christ and worship passionately, for in doing so, we not only give God the glory He deserves but also position ourselves to experience His transformative power in our lives.
TL;DR
Worship isn’t just something we attend; it’s an active response that transforms fear into faith.
Drawing from the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, we see how passionate worship becomes a tactic in spiritual warfare, magnifying Christ and inviting God’s presence.
Whether through song, prayer, or daily acts of devotion, worship equips us to overcome life’s battles and brings us closer to the heart of God.
