Many believers in Christ battle a particular fight that need not be so, and this is the area of depression, worry, anxieties, and even thoughts of suicide. How can we be lights to this dark world and at the same time be swallowed up in such darkness? Yet this is so, and we see many believers reaching for the world’s remedies rather than the Lord Jesus Christ.  

I believe that there is an easy answer to this plague among us. This blanket that is upon many is what Isaiah refers to as being a spirit of heaviness. Is 61:3 and is real and not a figment of the mind. When we are under this spirit, it dominates and rules over us. Isaiah tells us that in the ‘garment of praise’, the spirit of heaviness is removed.

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 

Our hope is deliverance from this spirit and comes when we put on the garment of praise coupled with the willingness to seek no longer the remedies of men and this world, but The Remedy found only in Jesus Christ.

This is not about singing hymns or worship songs either but more about entering in worshiping God in Spirit and in truth.  

I will share insight into what I believe God has given me through my own journey regarding this kind of worship.  

I was a collector of Christian songs and worship music, which were part of my everyday life. I needed them in many of my daily routines. One day, out of what appeared – nowhere, I asked the Lord what He thought of my music. And this is the beginning of my story.  

I felt the Lord say – stop listening to my beloved collection for a time and embrace the silence – with Him. I felt a jolt of panic at this thought. In the days ahead, I quickly learned how my music took the place of hearing the Lord. Soon the Lord impressed me to make my own personal melody to Him. I was not enthusiastic about this at all but, I began to sing, and the words were dry and awkward, lacking greatly in melody. I continued and felt like a tin man who lacked oil, but in my perseverance, I began to feel the oil of joy start to flow in me, and words became sentences to string together with a beautiful melody. It was none other than by the Spirit of God that I sang, and I knew this was worship to Him in Spirit and in truth which was an offering that was a pleasing aroma to Him.  

At this time, I had a dream. I was singing to the Lord and saw how it appeared and sounded in the Spirit.  

The sound I heard was angelically beautiful; Ps 33:1, they were many layers blending in incredible harmony. The song manifested in brilliant green vapors like a river flowing out of me, going upward. Rev 4:3 describes the throne of God as being surrounded with the appearance of a green emerald.  

I believe that when God delivers us from something, we can see it as it truly is through His eyes. He delivered me from an idolatrous love I had for what is known as Christian worship music. I no longer depend on it and much prefer silence to fill the air now because I know that God often speaks in whispers and much prefer to hear Him. Out of this experience, I am much pickier in what songs I will listen to and am grieved deeply by what churches attribute to being songs that worship our Lord.  

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24.

When we read passages in Revelation, we can see the words said in response to the majesty of the Lord. Not only this, upon saying these words, they fell to the floor in reverence and awe of the Lord!  

“Holy, holy, holy,

 Lord God Almighty,

 Who was and is and is to come!” Rev 4:8b

“You are worthy, O Lord,

 To receive glory and honor and power;

 For You created all things,

 And by Your will they exist and were created.” Rev 4:11

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

 To receive power and riches and wisdom,

 And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power

 Be to Him who sits on the throne,

 And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Rev 5:12-13

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,

 Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,

 Be to our God forever and ever.

 Amen.” Rev 7:12

Deliverance Comes

When we take our eyes off of ourselves, and the spirit of heaviness, or the anxieties that plague us and lift the name of the Lord – this is God’s prescription for us that will bring us deliverance. Not only are we delivered, but we are creating an atmosphere where darkness hates and are doing great work (to which we do not even know) for the Kingdom of God. 

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

 Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

 Let those also who love Your name

 Be joyful in You                                                                                                                                                           

 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;

 With favor You will surround him as with a shield. For You O Lord, will bless the righteous;               

With favor You will surround him as with a shield. Ps 5:11-12