Month: August 2023 | Page 2 | Focus Bible Church

Aug 8 2023

Worship that Yields

By Lincoln Forlong / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Worship is an essential part of the Christian life as it orders our beliefs and priorities with Christ at the top. Worship lifts our thoughts and heart affections above the things and relationships of this world and attaches them to God. Without God-centred worship, we quickly regress to man-centred religion with self in the middle. Therefore, worship that focuses on God is critical to a healthy and resilient walk of faith.

At the heart of authentic worship is a yielded attitude that confesses failings and inadequacies while proclaiming the majestic character of Christ. As Paul explained to the believers in Phillipi, believers in Christ worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). A self-elevated heart attitude disqualifies worship as it fails to recognise the supremacy of Christ, compromising Jesus’ Lordship with self-importance. Confidence in our fleshly desires, abilities, and achievements can only distract us from confidence in Christ.

Holy Spirit enabled worship always glories in Christ at the expense of self. Spirit motivated worship is permeated by awareness of God’s mercy which inspires real world sacrifices. This was Paul’s understanding when he instructed the Roman believers to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). No part of our lives, no relationship, and no desires or expectations are excluded from the prioritising effects of worship motivated by God’s mercy.

Recognising that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights… (James 1:17), believers redirect the accomplishments of this life to worship of the giver. God’s worthiness for whole-hearted worship rises above the difficulties caused by the pains of life. Amid life’s complexities and the difficulties of leading a rebellious nation, Moses’ song of worship reflected his heart’s attachment to the LORD. For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He (Deuteronomy 32:3-4). Moses was looking far above the imperfections of the nation God had called him to lead, and he saw the multifaceted glory of Yahweh.

Like Paul, our worship begins by surrendering to the truth of God’s Word, which is God’s revelation of Himself. From God’s Word our beliefs and affections grow and develop, equipping us with the truths needed to offer accurate and God honouring praise. I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God… (Acts 24:14-15).

Scripture refines our beliefs and fuels worthy worship which blesses both God and the church. This is the Holy Spirit’s intension, because God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Religious loyalty to set patterns or expectations, fail to express a changed heart and life. Our changed affections rise in praise because if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). And the new person in Christ longs to worship Him, to speak well of Him, and to sing His praises.

A yielded worshiper seeks the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. They set their minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:1-2). For there, in the presence of God, we find salvation, cleansing, security, Godly perfection, and hope of eternal life.

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Surviving Surprises

Surprises can shock us with joy or grief depending on the circumstances. Unexpected happenings can have either a fun or devastating effect on us, and we have to manage both. Thankfully, for the Christian, God provides the resources needed to not only survive the difficult surprises, but to overcome the shock of them. While impact from good surprises usually pass quickly, sometimes the unwanted ones don’t. In such times we need the LORD to overlay His grace upon our lives in such a way that we realise His protection.

Reading God’s Word with prayer has the ability to calm us, to center our thinking, and to show us different ways of viewing our circumstances from God’s perspective. Scripture exposes us to the heart of God and shows His constant presence in our lives. While prayer, both private and with fellow believers, is a critical expression of our faith response to God. It speaks out what the heart is feeling, and what the mind is thinking. Prayer permits us to explain to the Lord our feelings of conflict, our confusion, our pain, and our need of God. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live… (Psalm 119:76-77).

God’s Word, read prayerfully, allows for self-examination without abuse from outside. It enables our hearts to be fueled with God’s beauty in the midst of our pain. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law (Psalm 119:18). Scripture shines light into our darkness which helps align our hearts with God. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart (Psalm 119:34). God’s Word enables us to understand the necessity for obedience and selflessness through times of difficulty. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! (Psalm 119:36).

Taking in God’s word prayerfully, enables us to recognise that God is able to turn away the reproach (shame) that I dread, for your rules are good (Psalm 119:39). While the enemy strives to attack our hearts with shame, regret, and fear, God speaks certainty and acceptance to us even when we are struggling with failures. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. I remember, LORD, our ancient laws, and I find comfort in them (Psalm 119:50-52).

Worship during difficulties is not blind to the painful realities of life. Rather, worship looks above our distress and focuses on the unchanging and holy character of the Lord and His Word. Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge (Psalm 119:54). Especially when recovering from unpleasant surprises, our souls need to be assured through praising God, through trusting thanks for all things, and through following Him when others are saying and doing the opposite.

Worship heightens our motivation for obedience and inspires Christlike living. Worship shifts our affections towards God while moving our attention to pain away from self. Especially when experiencing unpleasant surprises, we need to consciously infuse joy from worship into our pain. This allows sorrow to be mellowed with the softness of assurance.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… (Psalm 95:6-8).