“Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well. So Saul said to his servants, ‘Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.’ Then one of the servants answered and said, ‘Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing…”
1 Samuel 16:16-18a

The Worshiper Wins

I’m always amazed at how quickly depression, stress, tension, anxiety, and complaints disappear when I worship. When I am overwhelmed, I worship. When I’m in pain, I worship. When distress is eating me alive, I worship. When I’m grieving, I worship, even though my throat constricts and my eyes spill tears.

During worship, my eyes, mind, and heart are fixed on God Almighty, not on my problems. My intent is to forget about myself, and magnify the Lord. I say “my intent” because, honestly, I’m not always successful. But God knows my will is fixed: with the help of the Holy Spirit within me, I WILL worship the Lord, and His triumph will be sweet.

Is this the reason David could confidently take on the giant, Goliath? David was a worshiper, a fact well-documented in Scripture. He knew the great God, knew His might, His help. Goliath’s size had nothing to do with anything. His taunts and challenges did not scare David, though they struck fear into the armies of Israel who were well-armed fighting men.

Fifteen-year-old David—worshiper, musician, singer, and poet—won the battle over the enemy. 

“Father, we worship You today in the face of our problems and anxieties. You are God, and there is none like You. In the mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.”