Your presence is my greatest weapon...

         Your presence is my greatest weapon
         Pushing back the darkness
         Breaking every chain
         My worship opens up the heavens
         Crushing every stronghold
         When I speak Your name
         ‘Cause Your presence is my weapon
          Your presence is my weapon    
         ("My Weapon," Natalie Grant)                                          
         I don’t feel as yet ready to move on from this song by Natalie Grant “My Weapon” that motivated what I shared in this blog last week. There is a word in the chorus that prompts me to want to stay on this theme just a little longer – that word is “worship.” I think of worship and I am reminded of my experience over the years in this area. God has truly taught me – and is still teaching me – to worship in any and every situation or state in my life. I have learned of course to worship Him when things are going good ... but also when things are not. I recall times when, with tears streaming down my face because of whatever challenge I was facing at the time, I lifted my hands and worshiped God. I think those were and still are my purest times of worship, when I chose to fix my eyes on the only One capable of getting me through that seemingly insurmountable situation. 
          I believe even then that I realized that that was the weapon I needed as I went through that trial, as in desperation I simply clung to the One whom I knew would see me through. I believe that worship is a powerful weapon that actually takes me into the presence of the One who will fight for me, who will defend me, who will cover and protect me when I feel exposed to all sorts of evil. 
          Maybe this is why David wrote so many psalms and was so involved in music. I recall the story of king Saul and the fact that after he had disobeyed God, the Spirit of the Lord left him and a distressing spirit troubled him (1 Samuel 16:14). This was where David stepped onto the scene and as he skillfully played his harp, Saul would feel better and the evil spirit would leave him (v. 23). I would not be surprised if the music David played on that harp was music that glorified God, and as he played God’s presence filled that room where king Saul was and that evil spirit had to flee. It could not stick around once God’s presence was there! 
          I recall also the story of king Jehoshaphat when some nations banded together to fight against Israel (2 Chronicles 20:1). The king became afraid, yet he turned to his God. What did God do? He instructed him and the people of Israel to “Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you” (v. 17). In response to this command, the people bowed before the Lord and worshiped Him (v. 18). They did not have to fight, just worship. And as they did that, and focused their eyes on their God, their enemies started fighting among themselves and totally annihilated one another (v. 21-23)! That’s the power of worship right there - inviting God’s presence into a tough situation and allowing God to fight on your behalf.
          Worship is not a song or music per se; you don’t need to worship with music, you can simply glorify God from your heart, telling Him how awesome He is, boasting about His goodness and faithfulness to you. Worship, I believe, is simply an attitude of the heart, a determination to shift focus from all that is happening around us and put our eyes and heart on the One who is bigger, more powerful, than anything or anyone present. It’s a state of confidence that God is more than able to see us through. Just like in the story with king Jehoshaphat, worship crushes strongholds and breaks chains; it pushes back the forces of darkness ... without us even having to lift a finger to fight a battle. As we worship and entrench ourselves in God’s presence, He fights on our behalf!
          I encourage us today to use that weapon that takes us directly into the throne room and motivates God to move on our behalf. I think that besides our faith in Him, worship pleases God more than we may ever know. It’s because I guess our focus becomes fixed on Him and we are saying that we trust Him explicitly. I am sure He likes that and that prompts Him to work on our behalf. Worship sometimes takes effort but it is worth it. Peace comes, confidence comes, hope comes...victory comes.
          If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as Lord and Saviour, I invite you to make that effort now. We all need a Defender, a Protector, a Shield ... Someone willing and able to act on our behalf and defend us when we need it.

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