Yesterday, we were singing No Longer Slaves, in our Next Gen gathering. That song starts with these lines:
“You unravel me, with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone.”—Jonathan David Helser, Brian Joel Case and Mark Johnson; No Longer Slaves lyrics © Bethel Music Publishing
While singing, our NextGen pastor mentioned that the secret to get out of bondage—things that are holding us down—is in those first two verses of that song. Yes, in fact the secret is right there... The secret is worship.
I couldn’t help but to think about when I was going through cancer. The cancer was like a giant standing in front of me. It was spiting right at my face... mocking my faith, and throwing around lies to make me a slave of fear. Then, at the very moment I started worshiping God Almighty, all the fear dissipated.
Yes. That very intimate moment when your heart, your mind, soul and strength connect with God through worship... is when you unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
When I was fighting cancer a few years ago, I remember praising and worshiping God for who He is. When worshiping, I was declaring that my Lord Jesus was greater than my circumstances. I was declaring that His glory was bigger than my predicament. I was inviting His presence to the reality I was facing, and thus, I was able to experience a reality beyond what my eyes could see.
Through worship, I was telling that cancer-giant in front of me that he had no authority here. Through worship, I invited God’s only presence to come in and fill the place. And because God’s presence encompasses all, there was no space for anything else. Fear started to subside. Soon enough, dissipated.
When worship evicted fear, then there was this incredible peace and strength clothing me. There was this joy filling the house. I was able to think clearly and listen better to what God had to say. I started longing for God’s purpose in my life more than healing.
That moment when worship happened, I was no longer a slave to fear. I was no longer a slave at the mercy of to the unknown, but a witness of God’s glory shining upon me in the midst of the unknown. I was holding His mighty hand. He was smiling at me. What death could do to me?
So my friend, whenever you feel burdened by bondage, by lies of failure and fear... worship. Worship it’s a way to tune your heart to hear what God is speaking to you, as you declare His mightiness over any situation.
Get ready for the infilling. Let’s worship together and sing No Longer Slaves. Let our mighty and loving Lord unravel us with that melody of deliverance.
“11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11-12, ESV)