2 kings 3-4

Read 2 Kings 3-4 at Bible Gateway.

Musicians have been playing a role in our readings lately! In today’s reading,  the three kings, who did not inquire of the LORD before they set out on their venture, by the way, got into a jam in the middle  of it, and decided that they should inquire of the LORD. So they came to Elisha, who is walking in the double portion of Elijah’s anointing in the Spirit, and he called for a musician.

“But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 2 Kin 3:15

And he spoke to the three kings, Thus saith the LORD. So Elisha’s  gift in the power of the Spirit was activated after the musician played. We are assuming the music was praise and worship of the LORD God.

Recently we read of the three armies which came against Jehoshaphat (Moab, Edom, and Ammon), and that Jehoshaphat put the singers in front of the army:

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever.” Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. 2 Chr 20:21-22

When this music, singing, and praise and worship went up, the LORD began acting on Judah’s behalf in the power of the Spirit.

Another instance I am remembering from earlier in the year, was David playing before Saul:

And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. 1 Sam 16:23

So not only are we seeing the action or power of the LORD being activated in the Spirit, when the skillful music in praise and worship begins, but we are also seeing the action or power of other spirits, I believe demonic spirits, suppressed completely, when the skillful music in praise and worship begins.

This repetition in Scripture is teaching us, that praise and worship in music is like sending an invitation to the LORD to come, to interact with us; and it is also a warfare, deployed against the enemy to put a stop to him interacting with us.

When I was a babe newly baptized in the Spirit over 30 years ago, I was taught that to maintain my relationship with the LORD I must engage in prayer and Bible reading daily. I do agree with that advice! But I also believe that praise and worship in song, in music, is just as vital a component, and is something I am learning to incorporate in my daily relationship with the Father.