As the Believe Series led us to the core practice of worship this last week, I was reminded of one my favorite pictures of worship in Scripture. It comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 20.
In this moment in history, we see the King of Judah place a unique value and purpose on worship. Facing an overwhelming enemy, the King of Judah does not enter into battle through the power of His army but instead through worship.
We see this in 2 Chronicles 20:21, “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.’”
I am a worshipper, but I don’t know if I would have been willing to admit that on that day. That would have been a certain death sentence to go with no shield and no weapon. That is at least looking at it from a worldly perspective.
God had given King Jehoshaphat a spiritual perspective for this situation. God had given him the path to victory over the enemy. God had given him a vision of worship that we often fail to see. God revealed to Jehoshaphat that worship is spiritual warfare.
God was the victory for Judah. God was the only one that could defeat the Moabites, Ammonites and the army of Mount Seir. God was the only one that this King and this Nation needed.
In view of God, sending the worshippers ahead of the army made perfect sense. And the result, we see what God did in verse 22. “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.”
What if we viewed every challenge, trial or enemy through this view of worship? If we did, our focus would be on the power of God and the victory that rests in His hands. If we did, we would trust Him and not rely on our own abilities.
Worship is our path to victory. Maybe the victory we need is over selfishness or self-reliance. Worship! Maybe the victory we need is over apathy. Worship! Maybe the victory we need is over fear. Worship!
Whatever the strong-hold is, God is the victory and worship positions us to trust Him and allow Him to move.