When good doctrine just won’t be enough
The Church in the last days will need more than good doctrine, programs, and persuasion to face the evil onslaught from the world. If we are honest, we know that the end-times are here already. So what does the end-time Church require more than these?
We need power.
But good doctrine makes a difference!
We need good doctrine for sure. Jesus, Paul, Peter and John all warned of the growing deception that believers will face. Deception is the sign of the times, and it is growing in intensity. Our doctrine must absolutely be rooted and grounded in Scriptural truths.
We also need the courage to live and proclaim persuasively the testimony of Jesus without wavering, as believers have done for centuries before us.
The power of an end-time, Old Testament forerunner prophet
We’ve considered the prophet Samuel before. He began his ministry as a young boy and remained faithful to the end, despite being forced underground by King Saul.
Musical prophets of power
Samuel raised up a band of prophets that ministered before the Ark of God with power. We see the freshly anointed King Saul fall in their presence.
When he [Saul] and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 1 Samuel 10:10
The scene described here is Samuel’s ministry. Samuel invested his life in raising up prophets who were powerful musicians and singers at his college in Naioth. He travelled in a circuit as the judge of Israel with these musical prophets. These prophets were anointed with the power of God. In fact, when he went into a town, the residents trembled.
When he [Samuel] arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. 1 Samuel 16:4b
Remember, Samuel knew David’s great-grandparents, Ruth and Boaz, and he wrote the book of Ruth. Ruth 4 lists David as directly descending from Ruth and Boaz. It is highly likely, therefore, that Samuel knew Jesse and his family.
Samuel’s ministry of power
When Samuel anointed David as King, we see a demonstration of power.
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. 1 Samuel 16:13
When God’s Spirit came on David, it left King Saul. Saul was then given an evil spirit from God to torment him. So, King Saul was from that point on demonized.
The power of worship and music—how did David know?
King Saul’s inner circle then said the most insightful statement which proves how powerful our worship music was designed to be.
Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” 1 Samuel 16:15-18
All I can say here is – WHAT? Where did David learn to play the harp? Where did David get a harp? And where did the king’s officials see David play the harp? It’s apparent from the earlier text that David was a seemingly insignificant shepherd. Yet David had a music ministry, unknown to his brothers, that had been noticed by the king’s inner circle.
Samuel, David, and the Ark of God
David knew (from his experience and his time spent with Samuel) about God’s power, and had as his lifelong goal to live near the Ark of God. The Ark represented the presence and power of God on earth.
As king of Israel David described his passion to find a dwelling place for the Ark of God.
We heard it [the Ark] in Ephrathah [Bethlehem],
we came upon it (Ark) in the fields of Jaar [Kiriath Jearim,
ref. 1 Samuel 7].
“Let us go to his dwelling place,
let us worship at his footstool… Psalm 132:6-7
It is likely David walked the 5-6 miles from Bethlehem to worship at Kiriath Jearim, the town where the Ark rested, and got to know many of Samuel’s priests that ministered there. This “worship at God’s footstool” had a lifelong impact on David’s character as he became “a man after God’s own heart.” And this is the place where David learned by experience that worship releases God’s presence and power.
Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. 1 Samuel 16:23
David touched God’s heart with his music, just as Samuel’s prophets did. Their music released power that brought deliverance and freedom.
The power we need in the end-times
This power that David had is something believers must develop in the days ahead to fight the Goliaths that we will face. It can only come as you develop your own history with God in the secret place of prayer and worship.
Start right here, right now
Jesus is asking permission to fellowship with you. It’s as a simple as that. So start right now, and He will meet with you!
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20
