Judges 5 “Worship”

Judges 5 – Brandon Hatmaker “Worship”
Austin New Church – South Austin Cares
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

“On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves, praise the LORD! Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.” – Judges 5:1-3

Scripture clearly says that there is a time for everything. Here, it is obviously a time for giving thanks and praise for all that God had done. While we all know that worship has many forms from singing, to study, to living… I’ve never really thought of the fact that it has many purposes as well. Here we see that it accomplishes multiple tasks (1) EXALTING and thanking God (2) it’s a REMINDER to us that it’s through God’s provision and strength that the task was accomplished or the blessing was had and then there is the less obvious (3) it presents an opportunity for a committed leader to LEAD others to know, remember, and do the same.

When we think about the church and equipping, as pastors, we typically think about bible study and traditional discipleship methods (which are all great)… but we need also to remember that LEADING others to reflect on the greatness and provision of God through worship and to encourage others to serve outside of themselves, are not just “extra-curricular” activities of church, but are necessary and biblical elements of disciple making.

“No time should be lost in returning thanks to the Lord for his mercies; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow from a full heart. By this, love and gratitude would be more excited and more deeply fixed in the hearts of believers; the events would be more known and longer remembered. Whatever Deborah, Barak, or the army had done, the Lord must have all the praise. The will, the power, and the success were all from Him.”