3 Part MP3 Teaching Download
By Jeremy Lopez
Taking Hold of God
David stood on the edge of everything God had promised but couldn’t see it. Everything was about to shift. He was closer than ever to the throne. But first – a crisis that could destroy everything.
Returning to Ziklag, David and his men find devastation. Homes burned. Families taken. Everything gone. Even his seasoned warriors collapsed under the weight of loss. They wept until no strength remained. Then grief turned to blame – and they talked of stoning David.
In his moment of total loss, anguish, and despair – David acted.
“But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."
The Power of Taking Hold of God
The Hebrew word for strengthened means to seize, to take hold of with force. David grabbed hold of God.
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Before he prayed…
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Before he asked for strategy…
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Before he pursued the enemy…
He worshiped. He reached beyond the smoke and loss and worshiped God with everything he had left.
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He didn’t wait for the pain to pass.
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He didn’t wait for circumstances to improve.
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He didn’t try to understand.
He took hold of God through worship.
When You Take Hold of God:
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You are encouraged beyond tragedy.
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You are enabled to rise in faith.
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You are empowered to grasp the victory.
Worship Is War
We often overlook worship as a weapon. But in the Kingdom, worship is how victories are born.
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The enemy flees from the presence of God.
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Doubt and discouragement dissolve.
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Worship pierces the darkness of defeat and allows in the light of God’s power.
Why Worship Works
“God inhabits the praise of His people.” You are drawn into the presence of the Living God.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” God moves on your deepest desires.
“Let the peoples praise You, O God… then God, our God, will bless us.” God releases His blessings.
When you lift God up, He shows up.
When you delight in Him, your desires align with His power.
When you prioritize Him, everything else begins to fall into place.
From Disaster to Dominion
David took hold of God in worship - and received direction. “Pursue, for you will surely recover all.”
He reclaimed everything and gained more than before – abundance, overflow, and influence. So much that he blessed every region where his men had taken refuge.
What seemed like ruin became a reward.
What looked like a disaster became a demonstration of God's faithfulness… but first, David needed to encourage himself in God.
1 Samuel 30.6, Psalm 22.3, Psalm 37.4, Psalm 67.5-7
Deception: Pain isn’t the end of the story. Circumstances aren't the final word, and defeat doesn't have to be permanent.
Authentic: Don’t wait to understand. Don’t wait to feel better. Take hold of God before anything else.
Power Hack: Praise breaks the grip of despair and pain. It becomes the force that fulfills your victory. Praise is your ultimate weapon.
Don’t wait to feel strong.
Don’t wait until it makes sense.
Don’t wait to be encouraged.
Take Hold of God in Worship. And He releases strength, strategy, and supply not just to recover – but to reign.
Randy Gladden
