This week I've experienced terrifying nightmares, something that is quite unusual for me. I've been assailed by an onslaught of irrational fears, but also realistic fears of future events that hold genuine possibility for loss and pain. At times I've felt my head pounding from a heart that is racing with fear.
When we face terrifying fear, be assured that the enemy of our soul is working.
When we face terrifying fear, be assured that the enemy of our soul is working. The enemy uses fear to rob us of peace, to threaten our security, and to establish a place to stand where he can insert his lies. And he takes that fear and ultimately turns it into some type of accusation against God. But we aren't left unarmed in this battle.
We have a real weapon that the enemy fears—worship.
Making the Enemy Flee
When Jesus faced the tempter in the wilderness (Matt. 4), the crux of that confrontation was the issue of worship. Would Jesus bow down and give His adoration and praise to the created being, the devil?
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him (Matt. 4:8–11).
Our only hope for victory when fearing the enemy's fearful forecasts is to reach a place of worship. The enemy flees when we engage in worshiping God alone.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
The enemy flees when we engage in worshiping God alone.
The enemy of our souls is like a roaring lion, and he seeks worshipers. His nature is to greedily gobble and consume for himself. When we give way to fear, doubt, lust, or self-centered thinking, it provides fuel for his agenda. When we resist him and throw ourselves on the mercy and grace of God, submitting to the truth of His Word and lifting our praise and adoration to God alone, the enemy has to flee!
Revealing Our Hearts
You see, worship conveys what our hearts designate is worthy of adoration. Worship reveals what we value.
Worship of God drives a stake in the ground and proclaims, "This is where my allegiance lies; I will bow to no other!"
Will you arm yourself with praise?
Here are a few lines from the Word to include in your praise arsenal:
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him (Ps. 28:7).
I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies (Ps. 18:1–3).
The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him (Ex. 15:2).
Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! (Ps. 99:5).
How do you battle fear?
What praise will you lift to God today?
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