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The Army of Praise
Where
does your worship choir get its name?
In these days of
engagement in a Middle East war, it has become conventional practice that
the "front line" of offense will be an aerial attack with bombs and
missiles. How different from the days of the Old Testament when God's people
went into battle being led by singers and musicians who declared the praises
of God. In II Chronicles 20: 21 & 22 we read of King Jehoshaphat's
decision when facing a "vast army" of Moabites and Ammonites with
some of the Meunites. Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah
and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be
upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 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.
This story takes
place many years after the reign of King David. However, in Psalm 68 which is
ascribed to David, we read of his praise to God for victory in a similar
situation and where it appears the choir led the procession into battle: May
God arise, may
his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. As smoke is blown away
by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the
wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before
God; may they be happy and joyful. Surely God will crush the heads of his
enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins... The Lord says,
"I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the
sea, that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the
tongues of your dogs have their share. Your procession has come into view, O
God, the procession of my God and King. In front are the singers, after them
the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines. Praise God in
the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
Why do you suppose
the choir was in front? Because it was an acknowledgment that the battle
belonged to the Lord. Because the first thing we must acknowledge is that the
true power is God's, and we do that through praise and worship. We have heard
the statement, "there is power in praise," and the children of
Israel (at least at this point in their history) practiced it.
Before you write a
letter to President Bush volunteering your choir to go to Iraq, (and make sure
your motives are pure!) consider whether or not your musicians have had
experience leading your church into battle. If there is a congregational
meeting where there is the anticipation of a dispute or disagreement on which
your congregation
may choose sides, does the choir or praise team lead the meeting with a time
of praise? If your church is involved in a community issue, such as a zoning
issue regarding the church property, or sanctity of life confrontations, or
adult oriented businesses issues, are the musicians anywhere to be seen in the
"battle"?
Come to think of
it, the church is continually at war, although "we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers." (Ephesians 6:12)
How does your church respond to internal and external battles? Do you begin by
acknowledging through praise and prayer God's sovereign rule over everything
and everyone? Or do you jump straight into the tussle of debate? It's time the
ministry of music is viewed with highest value and prime importance in a the
battle of the church and the world. Maybe when we say "the choir bombed
this morning" we should be speaking positively!
Dave
Leeman President, International Music Net
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