September 20, 2012
-
Expensive Worship
(Job 1:20 NLT) “Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship... “Many of us find it easy to worship God when everything is going right, but it becomes much harder to lift our hands in praise when troubles come. In the scripture above, Job had just been told he had lost EVERYTHING! Even his children had been killed in an accident.
It is easy to worship when it costs us little. Ah, but how sweet — how pure is worship that comes at great personal cost! How awesome when the hardships which would cause some to curse God and shake a fist of blame and anger toward Heaven, instead compel us to run into His arms. For He is still worthy. He is still good. Life is often unfair. Life can be painful. But, HE IS STILL GOOD! His love is steadfast.
Have you watched how people respond to crisis? Some lose their faith because when it is put to the test, they cannot endure. Others are refined by hardships, and the joy and peace flowing from their lives is a wonder. They learned the truth. They understand. They know that God is a refuge in times of trouble. They run to Him and worship. It is in those costly times of worship that the load is lightened and the hurt becomes easier to bear. It doesn’t go away. No, it is shared. He is our burden bearer.
When one of my daughters died at the age of 20, at first all I could do is ask WHY? My grief was so deep it was hard to breathe --- like there was an elephant sitting on my chest. Some people get stuck in the why, and if you do that, you will get bitter and angry. Sometimes there are just no answers, and even if you knew the answer, it would not make it better. You can only fall down and worship. Sometimes you just have to say, “God, I do not understand this, but I choose to trust You in spite of that. I choose to hold on tight to You. Your mercy never comes to an end. It’s OK if I never understand. I don’t need to know everything to worship You. I know You are worthy, and I choose to worship You.
Expensive worship.
Comments (16)
I didn't know you lost a daughter. When my son was very sick and we didn't know what was wrong, and didn't think he would ever recover, my other children reminded me that God was still in control. I knew that, but just hadn't been able to trust Him. He did recover, and now runs our business. Learning to trust and worship in spite of circumstances is a lifelong thing. I just hope I'm getting better at it, by God's grace.
Amen to that!
Wow!!! I needed this reminder. Thank you so much. It brings to me the picture of the islanders who worshipped their little stone gods even when they had been covered up in catastrophe.... how much more we should worship the Almighty Holy one even in the midst of circumstances that confuse and deconstruct us! wow o/
@ata_grandma - The daughter we lost was a young lady we took in to our family when we moved here. She called us mom and dad, borrowed the car, and lived with us on and off. She had a very troubled past, and we were able to give her some stability. She needed a lot of love and she struggled a great deal. We thought she was doing better. She was living on her own, working and going to school. She seemed to be doing well, but something happened that brought up terrible things from her past, she chose to end her life. It was a very dark time for me. I will always love her. I miss her.
I'm grateful that God doesn't get bothered if we rant at him in our anger and despair. I think he'd rather have us shouting at him than ignoring him. At least it's an acknowledgment that he's there and he's in control!
God bless you and keep you always. Yes, He is an awesome God, and in times of discord is when I need Him most. I too lost a daughter, yet she was still an infant, just shy of 3 months. My faith increased then, rather than make me bitter as some do b/c I NEEDED to believe she was in a better place with someone good. I didn't know the reason of her death (it was deemed SIDS-sudden Infant death syndrome), because she had been healthy that morning as I left for work. Perhaps she had already lived the live she was born to. Perhaps she was on this Earth just to show me that I wanted to be a mom, more than a carreer woman. IDK, but I don't get angry at God for it. (though it's ok to be angry sometimes... we get angry at people and situations we don't understand. He knows people will feel that way since they don't know all) Many people question why. I may know someday when I too am gone and called home to Heaven, but I know there are many instances that I can and do still rely on His wisdom and power to get me through the troubling times. To deny a gift (yes his grace is a gift) just because we are upset, would only serve to harm ourselves. He has the power to calm our emotions.
Just think.. if Every person got Every prayer (wish) granted immedietly, and no-one anyone loved ever died, we'd be on a very overcrowded planet.I'm sure even those that some deem as "bad people" have Someone who love them or would want them to live. Besides, so many prayers between people are conflicting, so how can we know that ours is the better one all the time? How greedy are we to think we should be the ones to never suffer, emotionally, physically, or monetarily. God never claimed it would be an easy life for all of us all the time, but He did say He would be there for us when we needed HIm.
@Tempguestbrief - I am sure you were a blessing in her life, and through you I hope she got to know God, even if just for awhile. I am sorry for the loss and the pain.
I think King David bought a piece of land rather than accept it as a gift so that it would be a real sacrifice.
I was near death for 3 weeks about 5 years ago. I got closer to God than any other time in my life. It was quite and emotional and spiritual experience.
I also know people who fall apart with crises, and others have one crises after another and their faith stays strong.
frank
I can't argue with anything you have written here. Condolences for your loss.
Some lose their faith because when it is put to the test, they cannot endure.
That's exactly what Jesus said in the parable of the seed that was sown in the ground. Sorry to hear about your daughter. It's good to hear you didn't lose your faith over it but continued to worship the Lord.
I have had a number of events in my life... that have led me to ask "WHY?" Lately, though, I'm finally learning to ask, "To what end?" Yes, worshiping God legitimately is a very expensive process... but it's no less than He deserves or asks for. Thanks for your elaboration on this idea!
This post is so true, bitterness can either make you or break you. I think we all have went through some sort of tragedy at one time or another. I have always stayed steadfast but with a little questioning at times. Why did my grandson have to die at 3 months, why did my nephew have to die at 15, why did my sister get Cancer & pass at 47, Lord why? But, one day we will see the right answers. But until then I will let Jesus carry me.
Thanks Mae for always posting such fulfilling words of wisdom.
Hugs....:)
What a wonderful reminder!!!
3 years ago I faced one of my most difficult struggles. Breast cancer. Initially I asked God "why?". One day His voice began to whisper "instead of why, ask me what. What do I want to teach you". It was a turning point for me. I began to worship .....
I still don't know why I had cancer and was required to walk that very difficult path. I DO know what He taught me on the journey and for that I am grateful!
@gokellyjo - I know I learn so much going through the hard things! We sure would not choose them, but looking back, I have grown more during trials than at any other time! I am glad you overcame cancer.
yes... thanks...
I know what you mean and I agree with you . I crossed some hard paths in my life and I kept my faith a,d I hope: until the end .
Love
Michel
Comments are closed.