Ezra 3:1-3

Do I find my safety and protection in worship?

I want you to see an awesome parallel:

When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. . . They set the altar in its place, because fear was on them from the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. (Ezra 3:1-3)

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:2-4)

If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save. . . We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. (2 Chronicles 20:9, 12,14)

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,
For he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever
toward Israel.
And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. (Ezra 3:11)

And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed. And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:20-21)

Do I find my safety and protection in worship? Where/who do my sons see me go to when I am anxious or afraid? anger, fear, a gallon of ice cream, binge watching, "phone a friend", cleaning (yes, I angry/anxious clean)? I often want to isolate myself when I'm worried or upset, but the example is to gather with others and worship. When we gather we should encourage one another not to be afraid or worry "what is this world coming to?" (I'm afraid we often do this). We should instead be encouraging one another that despite what is going on around us, God's steadfast love endures forever. We do not have to be afraid no matter how great our enemies are. I need to direct others to believe in the Lord instead of Fox News, to sing praise to Him no matter how dark the circumstances. I need to trust His plan no matter how great the storm. I think it is fascinating that judgement is one of the reasons Jehoshaphat gave for disaster. Even if I've brought this disaster upon myself, even if our sins have contributed to this, I am, we are as a church, as his people/congregation, still to cry out to God and He will still hear and deliver us.