Contending for the Faith with Worship
Living boldly, standing firm, and holding fast to the truth
This week, we’re diving into the rich and powerful Psalm 100, not just as poetry, but as a call to spiritual action—a battle cry to contend for the faith through worship.
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands… His truth endures to all generations.” – Psalm 100
This week, we’re diving into the rich and powerful Psalm 100, not just as poetry, but as a call to spiritual action—a battle cry to contend for the faith through worship.
Let’s look at what this means when we break it down.
Contending Means Standing Firm
To contend means to assert something forcefully and confidently. In Jude, when it says to “contend earnestly for the faith”, it’s not a suggestion—it’s a charge. Stand up boldly and fight for what you believe in. But this isn’t about shouting others down; it’s about standing your ground, spiritually.
And how do we do that? One of the most powerful weapons we have is worship.
Whatever attacks your faith is actually targeting your worship. Because the enemy knows—when we worship, when we enter God’s presence with praise, he doesn’t stand a chance.
The Nature and Character of God
Psalm 100 reminds us:
The Lord is GOOD
His MERCY is everlasting
His TRUTH endures forever
This isn’t just for biblical times—His truth is for this generation and the next.
“Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
Verse 1: Praise is Powerful
Verse 1 tells us to: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”
This isn’t optional. It’s a command.
Joy: a state of being
Joyful: the expression of that being
Noise: a loud sound that can disturb or disrupt
When we make a joyful noise, we’re called to disrupt what’s “normal” in the atmosphere around us. That’s spiritual warfare. You’re not just changing the mood—you’re changing the environment. The Kingdom of God brings light, and the darkness cannot comprehend it (John 1:5).
See yourself as that joyful expression of praise on the earth.
Halal Praise: A Celebratory War Cry
The Hebrew word for praise in this context is “halal”, meaning to:
Shine
Boast about
Rave about
Celebrate
To “halal” God is to lift Him so high that nothing else compares—not our pain, not our problems, not the plans of the enemy. It’s a praise that causes a spiritual disturbance.
“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand…” (Psalm 149:6)
When we worship and declare the Word, we’re cutting off the enemy’s oxygen. Because where God is exalted, the enemy is silenced.
What’s In Your Mouth? What’s In Your Hand?
Are you speaking life or defeat? Holding onto the Word or your worry?
When you combine praise with Scripture, the spiritual realm shifts. We mustn’t take the Word lightly—it was never meant to just encourage us, but transform us. The more seriously we take God’s Word, the less we’ll need spiritual “band-aids.”
Verse 2: Serving With Gladness
“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.”
We were created to serve with delight, not duty.
“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” (Ephesians 2:10)“Delight yourself in the Lord…” (Psalm 37:4)
Serving without gladness misses the point. Whether you’re preaching, greeting, setting up chairs or leading worship—do it joyfully. Take pleasure in serving. That’s worship.
Verse 3: Do People Know You Know Him?
“Know ye that the Lord, He is God…” (v3)
This is about more than head knowledge. The Hebrew root word here implies an experiential knowing—a personal encounter.
People should see in our lives that we’ve encountered Jesus. Like sheep of His pasture, we’re under His care. He made us, and He’s on the throne.
Verse 4: Coming Into His Presence—Before Church Starts
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.” (v4)
This verse isn’t just about Sunday morning—it starts before you walk through the church doors. Your posture on Sunday is shaped by your praise on Monday through Saturday.
Worship isn’t confined to the sanctuary. What you do outside the church walls directly influences what happens inside.
Are You Contending or Settling?
Worship that contends doesn’t settle for the status quo. It presses in. It disrupts. It’s a fire in your bones that refuses to be extinguished.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33)
Even if you don’t know every Scripture—just start talking to Him. That’s enough. He cares. Don’t wait for a special event or conference—your encounter can happen now.
Final Thoughts: Worship that Contends
Contending for the faith means your worship is active. It’s joyful. It’s disruptive. It declares that God is good, His mercy never fails, and His truth still stands. This kind of worship changes rooms, homes, cities.
🎯 Don’t turn up to church any old how.
🎯 Don’t expect the worship team to do it for you.
🎯 Come ready to cause a disturbance in the spiritual realm.
RISE UP—and worship.
Reflection
Take a moment to ask yourself:
Is my worship contending or just convenient?
Do I approach God with gladness and joy, or routine and habit?
Am I aware that my praise can shift the spiritual climate in my home, church, and community?
True worship isn’t just a sound—it’s a stance. It’s a declaration that God is still good, even when circumstances say otherwise. Your joyful noise isn’t just noise—it’s a weapon. So don’t underestimate what happens when you worship with your heart fully aligned to His truth.
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for being good, for Your mercy that never runs out, and for truth that still stands strong today. Help me not to approach worship casually, but with intention and reverence. Teach me to make a joyful noise that silences fear and confusion. Let my worship be bold, disruptive to darkness, and anchored in who You are.
May I serve You with gladness and walk daily in the power of Your presence.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.