Worship is Warfare

Each day brings about new attacks from enemies. These attacks come from angles such as selfish people at work, anger that rises up towards something said, lust from a picture on the internet, worry about what’s in the bank account, and governmental actions that eat away at Christian liberty, etc. Sometimes, these bombardments seem like the forces of hell have breached the gates and have pinned you down. Sometimes, you feel a victory has slipped away, and the battle has turned against you. Should you give up and give in? Does hope exist?

Jesus promises in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. Gates keep invaders out. Gates are meant to protect what has been claimed. Gates are defensive. Jesus’s statement assumes the church isn’t an army in peacetime. Jesus made his expectation clear that the church would take up the offensive. The church attacks the gates of hell. But how does the church do this when it’s being attacked? When the church has weakened from the assaults of sin, Satan, and the world?

Watch Pastor Chris teach on Psalm 97.

The answer is worship. Worship is warfare. Psalm 97 teaches the power and results of worship. In this Psalm, two types of worshippers are given. The first type consists of those who worship the One True God. They know Him as the True God because He exercises sovereignty over all creation. His holiness shines brighter than the sun but covers the deadly rays of humanity with a veil. None who oppose God remain because God’s fire of judgment consumes them. The flesh of frail humanity does not stand up to the infinite power of God. Neither do the rock-solid mountains. The hardened and invincible rock formations melt like wax exposed to heat. One boulder from the mountain can smash a man, but one glimpse of God’s unveiled glory will shatter stones.

Angelic hosts, who cause men to quiver and shake, shout the glories of God. Even creation, though tainted by sin, proclaims the glory of God. The birds chirp praises to the Lord. The rushing waters collide with a resounding power that declares the Lord’s might. Thunders roll praises to the Creator who ordained it. The gentleness of a summer breeze testifies to the kindness of God. The activity of life pronounces the order and creativity of the Creator.

But most importantly, the Psalm culminates with the worship of God’s people. The people the Lord saved speak of God’s wonders and saving works. The redemption brought about, and the new birth resulted in image bearers declaring the greatness of Christ, the very image of God. And this worship doesn’t stem from a begrudging heart. This isn’t the type of worship Narnia gave the Witch Queen. This worship springs forth from the heart because of the fountain of the love of God.

“The birds chirp praises to the Lord. The rushing waters collide with a resounding power that declares the Lord’s might. Thunders roll praises to the Creator who ordained it. The gentleness of a summer breeze testifies to the kindness of God. The activity of life pronounces the order and creativity of the Creator.”

The second type of worshipers demonstrate what true worship does. These worshipers experience shame. They boast and pride themselves on their idols, but before the true worship of the true God, they are brought to the reality that their gods are worthless. These gods, whether made of sticks and stones or made in the form of entertainment, money, sex, work, or substances, are shown to be what they really are, nothing. Worship is not just a defensive tool, it is a transformative force. It has the power to change our hearts, to open our eyes to the truth, and to free us from the bondage of false gods. Worship is Warfare.

So, how does Psalm 97 strengthen the church in defending attacks and going on the offensive? Worship is the answer. Worship is warfare. Our worship to the Triune God results in fighting off sin in our own lives. Temptations, anger, anxiety, external circumstances, and anything else that can easily entrap our hearts all lose their power when we worship the Powerful One. Things outside our control that bring despair lose their grip on our minds when we worship the One who has planned all things in life before the foundation of the world. Worshipping God brings us to the truth of God’s nature and His promises for His people. Worship is not just our defense against sin, Satan, and the world, it is our empowerment to overcome them.

But, worship doesn’t merely give us defense. Worship acts as our offense as well. When we resist sin and Satan, then we move to an offensive position. Each Sunday gathering of the church is a catapult flinging a rock at the enemies’ gates. Each hymn sung is a flaming arrow we shoot at the enemy. Each sermon preached and received acts as a battering ram against these gates. Each baptism and Lord’s Supper took up arms to storm the fortress. How do we strengthen our own hearts against sin? How do we change the quickly slipping of culture? Worship is the key. Worship is not just a tool for personal defense and offense, it is a catalyst for cultural change. It is the means by which we turn the tides of evil around us. Worship is the key. So then, do you join in worship with God’s people? Do you engage in it weekly? If not, then you’ve given up your defense and offense. You’ve opened yourself up to vulnerability with the enemies. If you do engage in worship, then take courage that the Lord uses his people humbling themselves before Him to destroy His enemies. Worship is Warfare.