“You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies. Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children. This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth. Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you. “—Psalm 7:2 TPT
“Our weapon is a MELODY…”
Strength rises out of our SONG! Even, perhaps especially, from the song of the weakest, most overlooked and insignificant among us!
Worship is WARFARE! Even the worship of those who don’t necessarily feel like warriors!
When we WORSHIP — especially in those moments when we’re surrounded by the enemies of fear, doubt, stress, worry, anxiety, sickness, weakness, despair or depression… When we CHOOSE to WORSHIP, regardless… When we somehow draw in the strength to whisper a NOTE… Breathe a LYRIC… Or, sigh out a SONG… SOMETHING HAPPENS! Things begin to shift! GOD “…builds a stronghold by the songs of babies!”
Sing, baby, sing!
WORSHIP is an act of DEFIANCE!
It defies logic, circumstances, our insecurities and feelings of inadequacy… It defies our critics, the accuser, the evil one and everything he attempts to brings against us and use to discourage, destroy and defeat us…
WORSHIP is FAITH finding its VOICE!
It chooses the HEART of GOD over my limited understanding, the FAITHFULNESS of GOD over and above every fears and worries, and, the STRENGTH of GOD over all my weaknesses and idiosyncrasies!
Our SONG “silences the madness of” anything that attempts to oppose God! Anything!
Try it! Go ahead and SING! Watch what starts to happen in your spirit… In your mind — when you SING!
YOUR SONG “shuts the mouth of Satan — the evil one” because it brings you into the PRESENCE of the ONLY ONE who has ever completely defeated and overcome sin, death, hell and the grave!
It shifts your perspective!
It moves your heart!
It breaks the monotony and endless cycle of self-defeating SELF TALK that keeps you perpetually STUCK!
Sing, baby, sing!
But I feel so weak? SING, anyway!
But I’m not a singer or musician? SING anyway!
In this moment, the notes aren’t that important!
Pitch isn’t what’s essential!
You’re Bruce Springsteen, kid, not Celine Dion!
Raw passion, authenticity, vulnerability and heart…
Faith breaking thru and out of the concrete sidewalk of fear like a blade of grass!
That’s YOUR SONG in this moment!
SING!
SING!
SING!
How can we respond to our fears about today? How will we cope with our worries about tomorrow? How will can we navigate the insanity of this moment?
Me?
I choose to begin this day, end this day and fill this day with SONG — WORSHIP!
I choose to SING!
I choose to take the broken voice of a broken man in this broken world and SING of the FAITHFUL of GOD!
I choose to WORSHIP!
BECAUSE, FOR SOME REASON, WHEN THIS FEEBLE, AWKWARD CHILD SINGS, THE FATHER STANDS, THE FATHER SPEAKS AND THE FATHER WELCOMES ME INTO HIS PRESENCE!
So, today I’ll sing a SONG OF DEFIANT FAITH to every unanswered question, inward doubt, competing fear and current reality…
“I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies.
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief.
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody.
I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me!
“I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm,
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar!
Up from the ashes, hope will arise,
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
“I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me.
I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee!
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery.
I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!” —Raise A Hallelujah, Bethel Music
“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
“It’s Your breath in [these] lungs
So [I] pour out [my] praise
[I] pour out [my] praise
“It’s Your breath in [these] lungs
So [I] pour out [my] praise to You only…”
“And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord!” —Great Are You Lord, All Sons & Daughters