The BattleSample

Worship

By Amy Cook

Worship is love expressed. It is your response to a revelation of who God is and what He has done for you. The Hebrew word for worship literally means to bow down in humility before God. Daniel was known as a worshipper of God, and he would publicly bow down to pray three times a day. King Darius’ advisors, who were jealous of Daniel, used his devotion to God to trick the king into having Daniel thrown into a den of lions. But God shut the mouths of the lions and delivered Daniel from danger.

The third chapter of Daniel tells the story of his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who refused to bow down and worship a golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar. As a result, they were thrown into a fiery furnace to be burned alive. However, God supernaturally delivered the young men from the fire. Nebuchadnezzar was so inspired by this miracle that he offered his worship to the God who had delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Over and over in the history of God’s people, worship preceded great victories and deliverance from trouble. In fact, when Israel went to war, God commanded them to position the worshippers on the front lines to physically lead the people into battle. God wanted His people to understand the extreme importance of worship when facing an enemy.

True worship not only prepares you for spiritual battle, it also plays a strategic part in God’s battle plan. Worship shifts your focus from the problems of life and the attacks of the enemy, and it refocuses your eyes upon God who is the solution to all your problems. King David, the warrior king of Israel, understood the key role of worship. In Psalm 34:3 (NKJV), he said, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (emphasis added). Then David went on to describe the benefits of doing this saying they’re delivered from fear, they’re saved from all their troubles, and they will never want for any good thing.

David knew that what God does flows out of who He is. When you exalt God’s name, you declare that His name has authority over your problems, and you release the powerful provision in that name into your circumstances to change them. David sang about God’s name and was delivered (Psalm 69:30; Psalm 32:7).

So what exactly does magnifying the Lord mean? When you look at something through a magnifying glass, it becomes clearer and more visible than before. It becomes the sole center and focus of your attention. When you magnify the Lord, His power and love for you become bigger than your problems and the distractions of life the enemy tries to throw your way. Worship focuses on the character qualities that make God the Lord of the universe.

If you’re trying to express adoration for someone you love, it’s not very meaningful to just say, “I praise you! I worship you!” The person might respond, “For what?” Praise and worship need to be specific in order to meaningfully bless the one you are worshipping. Worship God today by specifically describing what you appreciate about Him and by thanking Him for what He’s done for you. 

Memory Verse

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5