2 Samuel 6:2 – “And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.”  NKJV

As stated in the last devotional post I want to discuss ways in which we can Worship and Praise our God the LORD of Hosts.

SINGING – – I believe the Bible teaches that singing produces a Power of God used to crush the spiritual enemies of our souls.  As we sing we are instructed to use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts.  In the Hebrew ‘sacrifices of joy’ is used to describe the ‘war cry’ of soldiers preparing for battle.  It was a ‘shout of confidence’ borne out of the belief that the battle was already won.  In 2 Chronicles 13:14-16 in the battle between Judah and Israel we read, “as the men of Judah SHOUTED, it came to pass.”  In Psalm 149:6-9 there are two weapons identified that God uses to destroy the enemy:  A two-edged sword and high praises.

LIFTING THE HANDS – – This was done routinely in worship and was practiced in battle as is witnessed in Exodus 17:9-11 in the war against the Amalekites (type of the flesh) when Moses lifted his hands Joshua prevailed but when he lowered them the enemy prevailed so Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses until Israel prevailed.  If you understand this as an act of worship not a ritual then it has meaning, purpose and power.

CLAPPING THE HANDS – – This was an expression celebrating the victory God had given over the enemy as seen in Psalm 47:1.  It was done to ‘honor God’ and is a ‘hissing’ or ‘mocking’ of the enemy.  Again if it is understood as an act of worship not a ritual it has significance and power.

STANDING BEFORE GOD – – The only position not mentioned in the Psalms with reference to worship is sitting.  I am not saying you cannot worship sitting but referencing that there is reason and purpose in standing united before God worshipping and praising Him.

DANCING – – In Exodus 15:20 we find Miriam leading the entire nation in a dance before the Lord.  In Psalm 149:3; 150:4 there is the command for God’s people to praise Him in the dance.  We find that David danced before the Lord with all His might.  While some might find that less than dignified or proper as did David’s wife, God found it pleasing and blessed it.  If it is truly worship not form or show it has purpose, meaning, and power!

We find in Psalm 110 the visual of God crushing His enemies under His feet and in Romans 16:20 we learn that ‘the God of Peace will crush the devil under our feet…”

SHOUTING – – Now I’m in trouble with some but it is in the Bible and has purpose and place.

In true worship there is an atmosphere for miracles and we are told that God ‘inhabits’ the praises of His people.  Praise moves us into His presence and His presences, produces the supply of our needs.  There is power in worship both to uplift us into His presence and to combat the enemy of our soul.

May God be with you as you go through this day!

2 Samuel 6:2 – “And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.”  NKJV

How people worship is such a personal matter that I realize any ideas I advance may conflict with the way some engage in the activity of worship.  That being said, I do believe that God is ‘restoring’ things to the Body of Christ and worship is a key element in our relationship with Him.  I have long told people to follow the dictate of your heart in how you worship but be careful not to impose upon God what you prefer rather than following what He desires.  Just because I do it one way does not mean that is the only way it is the way I do it at this time.

There are many names ascribed to God in Scripture but the one that is used in distinct relationship to His Glory is the “LORD of Hosts”.  That name does not appear in the Pentateuch and is particularly associated with the Worship of the Tabernacle of David [2 Samuel 6:2, 18; 7:8, 26, 27].  In reading the above passage we find that in the original language this refers to the Ark of the Covenant being where the Name of the LORD was called upon or invoked.  That act of worship was done continuously on Mt. Zion after the Ark was brought there.  I suggest that this is God’s ‘Royal Name’ or His ‘Throne Name’ as we see in Isaiah 6:3, 5. This is the name by which God is called as He sits upon the Heavenly Throne.  In Zechariah 14:16-17 it is the name given for the King.  This is the name associated with the Shekinah Glory of God which was demonstrated between the Cherubim of the Ark.  This name has very strong military overtones as seen in Psalm 24:8, 10 where God is identified as the Caption of the Armies which are victorious in battle!

As we gather corporately to worship Him we find there is power and authority in the process.  It is important to know what happens when we worship the “LORD of Hosts.”  As I examine God’s Holy Writ I find that as we worship in the ‘Beauty of Holiness’ and ‘Spirit and Truth’ His Glory is released into our presence.  It effectively becomes a weapon that destroys and consumes the enemy and brings a healing and wholeness to us individually and collectively.  It brings confusion and fear to the camp of the enemy.  I believe this is illustrated beautifully in Joshua 6 when the Children of Israel were marching around Jericho; they were to march ‘until’ the time to shout in triumph before the “LORD of Hosts”.  The walls were still up, the enemy entrenched as they marched but when the time came to ‘shout’ in triumph the sound of the trumpet and shout became a ‘rereward’ which by context and definition indicates ‘gathering to destroy or consume’.  In Isaiah 58:8 we are told, “The Glory of the Lord shall be your rereward.”

• God’s Glory is The Power.
• The People became manifestations of His Glory as we are in Jesus.

As we worship, we become a ‘gathered people’, a ‘gathered company’ whose worship becomes warfare to destroy the enemy.  In Numbers 4:23 we find that those appointed as priests were to ‘enter in to perform the service’ or literally ‘fight a warfare’.  In 1 Peter 2:9 we are informed that we, believers, are a ‘Kingdom of Priests’.  Therefore, it is our privilege and duty to ‘fight a warfare’ through praise.

I want to discuss how we can Worship & Praise the Lord so for the sake of time and space I will pause here and pick this up in the next post.  So until then, may God be with you guarding and guiding your footsteps.  Blessings!