A Servant's Call to Worship

King Jehoshaphat had also received a revelation from God that prompted him and all of Judah to worship. Second Chronicles Chapter 20 details it for us. When a battle between Judah and the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir seemed imminent, the man of God spoke from among the people. God revealed through Jahaziel not only where their enemies would be stationed, but He also gave them His promise that they would not have to fight in this battle. The passage goes on to tell us in verse 18 that after God had spoken, Jehoshaphat and all of Judah fell down before the Lord in worship.

A synopsis of this particular story may go something like this: (a) God spoke, (b) the people worshiped, and (c) the only battle that took place the next day, according to verse 23, was among the enemies of God's people, who all rose up against, and destroyed one another.

Worship is a very vulnerable place to be because when we willingly, totally expose ourselves before God in worship, He will show us our true selves. He will show us our ugliness in direct contrast to His holiness. He will show us how weak we really are in light of His strength and power. But if we will allow ourselves to be exposed under the light of God's awesome majesty, we will never be the same. Once we have exposed ourselves to the total surrender of unabashed worship before God, it will ruin us forever. No longer will we be able to tolerate a worship experience stifled by traditionalism, denominational codes, cultural restrictions or condemnatory religion. The Word of God says that God is a "rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). How does He reward those who diligently seek Him in worship? With His manifest presence.

Worship is an encounter—it is not a mere ritual. The question I want to leave with you is this: We are comfortable in our churches each Sunday; but is God comfortable?