Long before Creation, as described in Genesis 1, and long before Adam yielded his position and authority to the Serpent, something was happening in the heavens, and in Heaven itself.
Worship!
All the host of heaven worshipped the One Who sits on the Throne; Who was, and is, and is to come, The Almighty.
Their “worship leader” was known as a highly gifted angel named Lucifer. The prophet Isaiah would later describe him as a “bright star of the morning”, but also someone who wasn’t content with his heavenly role. Ezekiel described Lucifer as “the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and beauty. Every precious stone was his covering; he was perfect in every aspect.” He was known for his music, and his place of ministry was in the very Throne room of God.
His was a glorious position, and if coveting was allowed in Heaven, his was a coveted position. But he didn’t see it as such. No, he somehow became enamored with his gifts, his anointing, his position. He saw himself more important than he really was. He began to entertain a thought, a thought that would eventually affect all aspects of heaven and earth. The thought? “I can do what God does, only better! Why should God get all the glory? I’M THE anointed one, the beautiful one, the gifted one! I should be receiving all the glory and honor. I SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED! I WILL BE WORSHIPPED!”
Well, we all know how that worked out.
Although Lucifer was cast out of heaven, and renamed satan or devil (adversary), he has not lost the desire to be worshipped. And though he is no longer the “anointed cherub that covers”, there is still a special connection with music and spiritual things.
Music is, in my opinion, the most powerful force in the universe. God’s love is powerful as well, but music can be a “carrier” of that love, or, it can be a carrier of hatred, lust, perversion, peace…fill in the blank. People can have their head and heart turned TOWARD God through music, or turned AWAY from God. It is such a powerful tool.
Music “creates an atmosphere”, setting the stage for what will follow. Whether at a ball park, in a tavern, at a rock concert, or even in a church, music, specifically the spirit behind the music, opens the door for the unseen realm.
I’ll discuss some specific points later, but suffice it to say the spirit in which worship is presented in our churches does have an affect on what ensues. A worship team who’s focus is perfection and performance will carry that spirit into the “worship” time. A team who knows they’re good and relishes the praise of the congregation will release that spirit as well.
But a team who’s heart is focused on worshipping God becomes a door in which the Spirit of God can “enter” through. All He is and all He can and wants to do becomes “near” as the team leads in true worship. Sure, people in the congregation choose to respond or not to the “atmosphere”. So do people in taverns. But a team has only one primary responsibility…
Worship God!
God alone is to be worshipped! He alone is to be praised! We are people gifted and anointed by Him to help establish Heaven’s “atmosphere” here on earth. It’s not about us. It’s not about how good we sound, but how our hearts are in tune with Him.
Lucifer really wants to be worshipped. He will even temporarily settle for some “backhanded” worship. The kind he enjoys when God’s people become enamored with the gifts and callings of the worship team, rather than having their focus on the Almighty.
Jan Grace 