SCRIPTURE:
David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service
1 Chronicles 25:1
OBSERVATION:
What is worship? Is it a song? Is it an action? Is it a lifestyle? While there are many ways one could answer this question, the author of 1 Chronicles answers it this way: worship is “the ministry of prophesying.”
To prophesy means to receive a divine message from God about what is to happen in the future and to tell others about it. These God-spoken, human-received messages often contain spiritual significance, revealing God’s will, His intentions, or His plan for the future. While prophetic words are often portrayed as a specific message for a specific person about what is to happen in the future, prophetic words can also simply mean speaking God’s promises that He has made to humanity through Scripture. Whether revealed through a person, prayer, an event, or through His word, prophesying involves speaking God’s guaranteed words over someone.
Worship is “the ministry of prophesying.” Prophesying involves three elements: the message, the one who prophesies, and the one who receives the message. As we sing songs of worship, we are prophesying. We sing, speak, and proclaim a divine message about who God is, what He has said, and what He will do. But to whom do we prophesy? We prophesy to God, to others, and to ourselves.
1. Prophesying to God
“49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”––Psalm 119:49-50
We are to prophesy to God, reminding Him of His promises to us. We do so not because God has forgotten His promises, but rather because we have forgotten His promises. The act of prophesying to God reminds our spirit of what God has said, of what He has promised, and of His unchanging faithfulness. When we prophesy to God, we commune with our Creator and tell Him that we believe in Him and that we trust Him. As we worship, we prophesy to God, telling Him how much we love Him and how good He is.
2. Prophesying to Others
“24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” ––Hebrews 10:24-25
We are to prophesy to others, encouraging them with God’s promises. We are not to prophesy to others using our words or our love; rather, we build them up by speaking God’s sure words over them, loving them with God’s love, and reminding them of who God created them to be. As we worship, we prophesy to others, allowing our faith to help build their faith and our passion to help fuel their passion.
3. Prophesying to the Self
“5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” ––Psalm 42:5
We are to prophesy to ourselves, preaching God’s promises over our lives. Especially in times when it’s hardest, we are to remind ourselves of the faithfulness of God, speak His words over ourselves, and retrain our spirit to return to Him. As we worship, we prophesy to ourselves, singing God’s dependable Word over our souls.
APPLICATION:
You are called to prophesy as you worship. As you worship the Lord––in song, in action, and through your life––be sure to prophesy. Proclaim God’s promises and His sure words back to God, over those around you, and over yourself. For worship is not just a song; it is the ministry of prophesying. And whether you have realized it or not, if you have worshipped, you have been prophesying. Continue to worship, continue to prophesy, and continue to remind God, others, and yourself about who He is, what He has said, and what He will surely do.
PRAYER:
God,
You are great and Your promises are true. Today, I proclaim of Your goodness back to You, to those You have placed around me, and to myself. Your words are trustworthy and true, and Your promises never fail. As long as I am on this Earth, I will use my breath, my words, and my life to worship You and I will prophesy of Your amazing love. You are worthy of my worship, and You are worthy to be praised now and forevermore.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
