Front Lines

Front Lines
August 6th, 2014
www.kurtscobie.com/worship

"After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the  Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his  holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”  As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." 2 Chronicles 20:21-22

My uncle Tom reminded me of this passage when I shared my first post on this blog. King Jehosaphat appointed singers, worship leaders, to go out ahead of the army before the battle. That is the kind of boldness we can have when God is on our side (read: when we're on God's side). They went ahead and praised God for their victory before they had even begun. And "as they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men... who were invading Judah, and they were defeated" - I love it!

"Spiritual warfare" is a term we often toss around in our bible studies and Christian pow-wows. But, I can say that there really is a war waging that we cannot see. And I can tell you right now that lately I have been in the midst of a battle, myself. Ever since beginning this blog, actually, I have been under attack.

Doubt came rushing in when I began writing. "What are you doing?", "Who do you think you are?", and "You're wasting your time!" are just a few of many thoughts I have had while working on this blog. And I almost gave in. I almost quit. I had to take a step back and recognize what was happening in the spiritual world.

It is important to remember that there is an enemy. Satan is shooting his arrows. And his attempts to derail us increase when we try to take back ground that he has acquired.

I imagine that Satan is quite jealous of worship leaders, since he was "fired" from that job. There is a big target on my heart when I claim to be a worship leader. The more I think about this huge responsibility and privilege, the more I fear (revere) God for giving me the opportunity to be a worship leader.

I hope you will remember to pray for me and other worship leaders. Pray that we do not take lightly the responsibility we have to remain humble yet boldly lead people to a place where they can encounter God. Pray that we will go boldly forward, singing praise and declaring victory even before the battles begin.