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Typically, I write my main point at the beginning of an Interruption and then repeat it several times in the blog post for emphasis. But in this Interruption, I’ve left the focal thought for the end.
It needs some build-up to make sense, so let’s read about Saul, David, Spiritual Warfare, and then the Psalms!
Saul
The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. (1 Samuel 16:14, ESV).
From his disobedience, the Spirit of God left King Saul to be replaced by a harmful spirit. His servants responded. . .
Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well (1 Samuel 16:15-16).
Worship is a powerful antidote to discouragement, depression, and, in King Saul’s situation, possession. Have we felt burdens lifted during worship? It’s a main reason that we must worship together, as God designs Psalms to alleviate and give victory in spiritual warfare.
David
A servant of Saul found such a man skillful with lyre and song. . .
One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” Therefore, Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep” (1 Samuel 16:18-19).
I sense a gift of worship leading the moment a musician begins playing.
Some of the most anointed worship leaders don’t have the best voices — but that doesn’t matter — they draw me and others into the presence of God.
Spiritual Warfare
And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So, Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him (1 Samuel 16:23).
Music cuts both ways, used by Satan to entice and enforce evil or used by the Spirit for deliverance and peace. Music contains revelation, inspiring new ideas, and a fresh approach to problems. Music eliminates barriers, enticing some to further depravity and others to new levels of freedom through loving obedience.
Psalms
I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer … The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me … In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God, I cried for help … He bowed the heavens and came down (Psalm 18: 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9).
My point: The Psalms of David helped King Saul, and I’m sure — my opinion, but still absolutely sure — that those Psalms that David sang to Saul contain some of the same words that we find in Psalms, like Psalm 18.
Psalms and spiritual warfare — still a potent weapon and help for us today.
He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights (Psalm 18:33).
Amen. Peace out!