{Be Devoted} Cultivating a Heart of Worship

Have you ever felt defeated? Maybe you’re worried about the next step in your future or can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe your struggle seems too overwhelming or a temptation too great to bear. I think that all of us have found ourselves before the Lord in a panic trying to decipher and ascertain what exactly He has planned and wondering how He could ever get us out of the pit we’re in.

There is a man in 2 Chronicles that was in the exact same situation. He needed a word from the Lord – He needed direction and hope. He needed a miracle! This man, Jehoshaphat, was going into battle against a great multitude of his enemies. There was no possible way for him to lead the Israelite people to victory, it was humanly impossible. Yet 2 Chronicles 20 paints a different picture than what is expected. Verse 3 says, “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord…”  The Lord answered Jehoshaphat in verse 17 and said, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” Immediately all of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down in worship to the Lord! And the Levites stood up to “praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.” The Lord fought for the people and delivered them out of the hands of their enemies – He gave them victory!

Though that was a rough and very condensed version of what happened in that chapter, the truth that we can glean is invaluable. The people of Judah assembled and worshipped. They cultivated a heart of worship and recognized God for WHO He is. Because of this – they were victorious.

You may find yourself in a situation where the battle looks impossible to overcome. The enemy seems too strong to resist. The struggle feels too difficult to handle. Let me be a gentle reminder… a person who cultivates a heart of worship can be victorious. Satan has no power over the name of Jesus. You may feel like you are fighting against flesh and blood, but you are fighting a battle that has already been won by our King. The struggle may feel overwhelming in the moment, but take a few minutes to remember who God is. Remember His character – the gracious, powerful Father that He is. Cultivate a heart of worship to our King; that mountain might seem a little easier to climb afterwards. You have the Lord on your side, sweet sister – the devil flees in the Presence of our King. Worship Him!