Many creatives identify themselves with the Levites in the Old Testament. The ones who led worship for the people of God.
Do you know what their name means?
“..the meaning of the word “Levite” (Hebrew lewi), which comes from Hebrew root ל-ו-ה, meaning “connect” or “attach”; lewi literally means “one who is connected/attached [or] “the joined ones”...These are the true Christian servants — [those] who are ready to go forth to all, and yet [those] who are able, bravely, to take their stand alone, because they are joined to God.” (biblehub)
Brave Worship firmly believes that Community = Courage!
There are some great Biblical Examples:
Jericho
Crossing of the Jordan
But the one I’m going to use today, you guessed it, 2 Chronicles 20! The story of how the Moabites and Ammonites were defeated through praise! You remember that story right? Oh if not, read it right now! We all LOVE this passage don’t we..haha..we’re always using it to kinda prove our value aren’t we? To prove that what we do is important “on levels that other people just can’t understand”...I kid, I kid, haha. You know it’s true ;) But seriously, why do we love this passage? As I was reading over the passage this week, something stood out to me that hadn’t before.
Let’s look at V.14-23:
“14-17 Then Jahaziel was moved by the Spirit of God to speak from the midst of the congregation. (Jahaziel was the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah the Levite of the Asaph clan.) He said, “Attention everyone—all of you from out of town, all you from Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat—God’s word: Don’t be afraid; don’t pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God’s war, not yours. Tomorrow you’ll go after them; see, they’re already on their way up the slopes of Ziz; you’ll meet them at the end of the ravine near the wilderness of Jeruel. You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.”
18-19 Then Jehoshaphat knelt down, bowing with his face to the ground. All Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping God. The Levites (both Kohathites and Korahites) stood to their feet to praise God, the God of Israel; they praised at the top of their lungs!
20 They were up early in the morning, ready to march into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Listen Judah and Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! Believe firmly in God, your God, and your lives will be firm! Believe in your prophets and you’ll come out on top!”
21 After talking it over with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed a choir for God; dressed in holy robes, they were to march ahead of the troops, singing,
Give thanks to God,
His love never quits.
22-23 As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. ”
Wow. Something about that story resonates deep within us, doesn’t it? Their worship is still leading us today, calling out for us to join the fight.
The worship warrior inside us longs to join with those who bravely stood and sang long before us. And it’s through that longing that we begin to hear their shouts of praise, perhaps softly at first but then growing louder and louder!
It sounds old, as ancient as the Ancient of Days himself. But if you can hear it, don’t delay, don’t hesitate for a moment. Join those, like the levites who STOOD, even before the battle had begun(v.19) and prepare God’s people. Show them what it looks like to STAND in the face of adversity. Show them what faith looks like. Show them how to be brave. And God’s spirit will ignite a passionate blaze within them and us! One that knows no fear, that knows no enemy. For the Lord our God is with us! (v.17)
This was accomplished through a group. A community of worshippers. The joined ones. They were joined to God but they were also joined together.
“When we are side by side, we are stronger, bolder, braver!”
As you march TOGETHER you will be brave. You will be fearless.
And you will write and you will lead brave worship!
This is what Brave Worship is about. This is our heart and our purpose.
Amanda Blankenship