Beats, Battles, And Breakthrough: Unlocking God's Power

Worship isn’t just a Sunday sing-along—it’s a divine battle cry. In 2 Kings 3, we find Elisha in a bad mood. He’s frustrated with King Joram of Israel, an evil king who dragged him into a dire situation. Facing a battle with no water and little hope, Elisha doesn’t want to help, but because the righteous King Jehoshaphat of Judah is present, he agrees. Still cranky, Elisha says, “Bring me a musician” (2 Kings 3:15, NKJV). As the music plays, “the hand of the Lord came upon him” (2 Kings 3:15, NIV), and God’s power is released.

From Bars to Blessings

I used to play gigs in smoky bars and clubs, chasing the dream of rockstar fame. We played anywhere that would have us, from C-list venues to back-alley spots. I was saved, filled with the Spirit, but my passion for music led me to places that weren’t always aligned with God’s plan. Yet God has a way of redeeming us when our motives are not aligned with His plan. Over time, He took the same drive that ounce found me playing music in bars and transformed it for His glory. I went from playing for bikers to playing for believers, and it was a significant shift in my life.

Here’s the thing about music: it moves people. That power can either pull you closer to God or drag you away. In those bars, I saw how music could rile people up in all the wrong ways, filling hearts with chaos. But when I stepped into church and began to lead worship, I experienced music’s ability to bring peace, joy, and breakthrough. Just as the enemy can use music for destruction, God uses it for victory—and it’s a weapon we need to wield more often.

Breaking Through the Funk

Elisha had a bad attitude. He wasn’t feeling up to prophesying or helping, but as soon as the music started, everything changed. We’ve all had those days where we drag ourselves to church, weighed down by life’s struggles, but the moment worship begins, something shifts. Worship moves us from funk to freedom, breaking chains we didn’t even realize were holding us down. Like Elisha, we often need music to get us out of our heads and back into God’s presence. However, we must be willing to lean into the worship experience by raising our hands and singing along!

Praise as a Weapon

Let’s be real: praise is a powerful weapon. When we raise our voices, we declare God’s authority over every battle we face. Elisha knew this, and the Bible is filled with examples where worship leads to breakthrough. Think about the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48)—she pressed through the crowd, through every obstacle, to touch Jesus and find her healing. Later in his life, King Jehoshaphat sent the praise team ahead of the army, leading to a mighty victory. We’ve got to press through the noise, the doubt, and the distractions to touch His presence. That’s where miracles happen.

Worship Is a Team Effort

Today I am the lead pastor at Imagine Church, but one of the things I’ve learned leading worship over the years is that it’s not about the band on stage—it’s about everyone in the room. When we worship together, we create an atmosphere for God to move. It’s like a sports team: when the crowd rallies together and sings the victory music, it creates a home field advantage. In worship, that shift isn’t just emotional; it’s spiritual. The entire church is part of the worship team, and when we lift our voices together, we’re claiming victory in the heavenly realms.

Conclusion: Press in for Breakthrough

Whether we’re feeling defeated, overwhelmed, or just plain distracted, worship is the key to God’s presence. It’s the place where battles are won and chains are broken. When we press in—when we praise through our circumstances—God moves. So, let’s take a cue from Elisha: when the going gets tough, turn on some worship, lift your hands, and let God take care of the rest. You’ll be amazed at how He turns your battles into blessings.