On Sovereignty and Singleness

God is sovereign.

 

I was especially reflective last night. Perhaps it was because I was coming off a thirty-six hour shift at work. Or maybe it was the tragic news of the lives lost in Paris. It could have also been the anticipation of seeing unexpected, lavish grace in the wedding of Nancy Leigh Demoss and Robert Wolgemuth. I’m listening to the live stream of the prelude while I type.

 

It was likely a combination of all of the above.

 

As I sat last night, waiting for the pager to go off and feeling overwhelmed by what the first responders in France were going through – memories that will haunt them for a lifetime – the very nature of my job washed over me afresh.

 

TV portrayals of emergency work make it look thrilling and even glamorous. They leave out the long, grueling hours of waiting for calls, completing reams of paperwork, and dealing with crime, death, and disease. As hard as they try, television cannot capture the assault of smells, sounds, dangers, and commotion at an emergency scene.

 

I never know what waits for me on scene when I get into my ambulance, turn my lights and siren on, and leave the garage. I have to be prepared for a myriad of possibilities and the dynamic nature of a scene.  The unknowns and what ifs can be scary. It’s easy to be anxious.

 

God is sovereign.

 

Many times this truth has quieted my heart while on duty. He knows the calls, the transfers, the patients, the challenges – every part of my shift. He will equip, strengthen, and give grace for whatever lies ahead. This is His promise and He will never fail me. “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deut. 33:25).

 

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God.”

 – A. W. Tozer

 

Whether that future be the hours of my next shift, the activities of my next day, or changes of the next year of my life, He knows the plans He has for me. All He asks from me is to trust Him.

 

Is it a job? Is it higher education? Is it both? Is it neither? Will it mean moving? Is marriage a part of God’s plan? If so, when will it be? If not, what then? The questions flood my mind. “In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19).

 

God is sovereign.

 

He has chosen today for me. His gift to me in this hour is singleness – to pursue “the things of the Lord” (I Corinthians 7:34), to be His minister doing His pleasure (Psalm 103:21).

 

To my single sisters, the Lord has chosen the path you are on for a reason – to form you into His image for His honor and glory. Over this past week, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, now Mrs. Robert Wolgemuth, shared lessons from her years as a single woman. I greatly appreciated her wisdom and words of encouragement (the series is found here). She says, “Whatever your season of life, be intentional about becoming the woman that God made you to be, being conformed to the image of Christ. Listen, some circumstances that you are in presently are exactly the circumstances you need to become more like Jesus.”

 

Our lives are not simply about going through college, getting letters to add behind our name, having a career, or even changing our last name. Our lives are all about conforming to the image of Christ. That’s the primary focus. The Ph.D., vocational path, singleness or marriage are tools the Lord uses in our lives to share His love with others, show His grace to us, and bring glory to His name. And He knows which tools will allow us to glorify Him the most.

 

God is sovereign.

 

Peace, joy, goodness, and love do not come from the what but the Who. I can’t find these in my circumstances no matter how hard I try. We can only find these in a God who is merciful, faithful, loving, patient, infinitely kind, all-powerful, and sovereign. Nancy further writes, “If you let God write the script for your life, it will be good. Joy comes not from writing our own story or having the story go as we would have scripted it. Joy comes from saying, ‘Yes, Lord,’ to whatever story He writes for our lives….He will be your warmth. He will be your protection. He will be your covering. He will be your energy. He will give grace.”

 

There’s a quote on my bulletin board I put up several years ago. It’s one of my favorites, from one of my spiritual mentors. It reminds me that my completeness and fullness are found in Christ, in whom “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

“Hear the call of God to be a woman. Obey that call. Turn your energies to service. Whether your service is to be to a husband and through him and the family and home God gives you to serve the world, or whether you should remain, in the providence of God, single in order to serve the world without the solace of husband, home, and family, you will know the fullness of life, fullness of liberty, and (I know whereof I speak) fullness of joy.”

 – Elisabeth Elliot

 

God knows the path for my life. My part is to trust Him and to run my race well. The future is known to Him, I need not fear what lies ahead. He is working in my waiting, in what He has laid before me today.

 

Christ wants our lives, our hearts, our all. He wants women on fire for Him and His glory. Fulfillment, safety, and joy come from being at the center of His will, trusting Him for the future – a future known to Him.

 

“Lord, help us, help us, help us to be Your women now,

in whatever circumstance, in whatever season You have placed us,

so that we can give You glory, so we can bless, serve, minister grace

to others You put in our lives. All this we pray for Jesus’ sake, amen.”

 – Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth

God is sovereign.

Of Northern Lights and Shooting Stars

I just worked 72 hours in six days. I also squeezed in a trip to Duluth to visit my sister and somehow managed to survive a head cold. On top of that, I seem to be stuck in a middle-of-the-night transfer rut, which means my sleep average at work for the last five shifts has been 2.5 hours.

As I got off work this morning, I came away with a greater view of God’s faithfulness and tender mercies. Not only are His grace and strength sufficient for each step, but also He delights in blessing His children. Sometimes the blessings are big and obvious, while others are small and, if I don’t look close enough or my heart isn’t sensitive, easy to miss.

Two shifts ago at 0200 hours, I was trying desperately not to fall asleep. My partner was driving us back from a transfer. I was fighting nasal congestion and willing away the miles, eagerly anticipating the moment when I could crawl back into bed at base. Suddenly I felt prompted to look out my window and when I did, the sky was glowing – vibrant green Aurora Borealis against a star-studded background. My partner stopped the ambulance on the side of the road and we just watched the spectacular display for several minutes. For me, it was a love note from my Heavenly Father. He knew exactly where I was, what I was doing, how tired I was, and He chose to remind me of His love in a very visible way.

Last night, or, rather, early this morning, I was thankful for the few hours of sleep I got before the transfer call came in. About fifteen minutes down the road, a shooting star streaked across the night sky right in my field of vision. I hadn’t seen one since I was a child. We got back to base only a few hours before my shift ended, but I was able to get another hour of sleep, for which I was very grateful. For someone whose enemy is insomnia, it is such a relief when I can sleep and sleep well.

Sometimes I sit back in wonder at where I am right now: an insomniac like me working 24 shifts. It’s just not what I would have pictured or realized I would do. I had read yesterday’s calendar quote before I went to work, but it was all the more vivid this morning: “Be prepared for the will of God to be very different from what you imagined.” I couldn’t agree more with Elisabeth Elliot’s statement.

Then, as I pondered that more, I realized it is because God’s will not about me. It’s not about what I can do for God, what things I achieve, or what I plan to do with my future. It’s all about Christ and what He does through me for His glory. It’s about His will.

“It’s not about what we become for Him. 

It’s about what He makes of us for His glory.”

I’m not sure who that quote is from, but I think they say it well. When I’m in fellowship with Christ and my heart is in tune to His direction, then wherever He places me or whatever He puts before me is His will for me. From the beginning of eternity, He’s had a plan and, however miniscule my role may seem in the big picture, I’m humbled that He wants to use me. I’m a simple clay pot with holes, if you will, through which His light can shine out to the world and out of which His love can pour for others. He has a plan for each one of us but He does not forget our frail humanity or set us aside simply because we are weak. “As a father shows compassion to His children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). He shows Himself strong where we are weak, crowns us with steadfast love and mercy, and renews our youth like the eagle’s. He blesses us and is oh so good to us. The end result is His honor and glory, of which He is infinitely and eternally worthy to receive.

In the words of Becky Buller’s beautiful prayer “Make Us to Shine,” may we be “worthy in Your sight to illuminate the night.” May we be willing to shine however dark the night, may we be willing to follow however steep the path, and may we be willing to honor Him however high the cost. The cost of our redemption was far too dear to Him for us to do nothing less. 

Martha and Her Many Things

I got stuck on last Sunday’s Daily Light. In fact, it was so convicting that I read it three nights in a row. It was one of those times where a passage pierced right to my heart and I sat back and said, slowly, “Oh, that’s me.”

 

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. – The

world passeth away, and the lust thereof – Surely every man

walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth

up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. – What fruit had ye

then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those

things is death. – Martha, Martha, thou are careful and troubled about many

things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good

part, which shall not be taken away from her – I would have you without

carefulness. – These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have

peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I

have overcome the world – The Lord of peace Himself give you peace

always by all means – The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord

make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord

lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

 

John 14:27 – I John 2:17 – Ps. 39:6 – Rom. 6:21 – Luke 10:41-42

I Cor. 7:32 – John 16:33 – II Thess. 3:16 – Num. 6:24-26

The story of the two sisters, Mary and Martha, is quite short – only five verses. Mr. Bagster chose to place just two of them in Day 143 of his Daily Light. I’m ashamed to admit that every other single time I’ve read that story, I have tsk tsk’d Martha for her foolishness. In my spiritual pride, I’ve always figured that, if it had been me in that situation, I would have chosen the better way like Mary did.

 

I realized on Sunday that I’m regularly Martha. I am guilty of being troubled about many things. I am guilty of being distracted by the things that are quickly passing away – the ephemeral, the transient, the fleeting.

 

“Careful,” the word Christ used to describe Martha in verse 41 is otherwise translated “anxious.” We read elsewhere in Scripture that the Lord does not want us to be anxious – about anything.

 

“I would have you without carefulness”

 – I Corinthians 7:32

 

“Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

 – Philippians 4:6

Another translation puts I Cor. 7:32 this way: “I want you to be free from the concerns of this life” (NLT). Christ does not want us living burdened down and distracted by the cares of earthly life. If we are, then we’re not living the abundant life He offers us.

 

There was nothing wrong with what Martha was concerned about. Dishes have to be washed, floors to be swept, food to be prepared, and houses to be cleaned. That’s a normal part of life. We have to work to provide for our needs and to be good stewards of what the Lord has given us. In short, we really can’t avoid the cares of life. But we can change how we think about them.

The problem with Martha – and me – was focus. Somehow, while living here on earth, we need to keep our eyes on the eternal. We are to be seeking the things above – the unseen things that are eternal.

 

Martha needed one thing and Mary had chosen that good thing: an eternity-seeking heart focused on Christ. When our hearts are resting in Christ, then we find His peace and we can face the tribulation in the world because He has overcome and makes us overcomers.

 

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me,

Thy comforts delight my soul.”

 – Psalm 94:19

Instead of tying myself up in knots over this and that, I simply need to rest in Christ and ask Him for wisdom to discern what matters and what doesn’t. I want to build up treasure in heaven and keep my priorities in proper order.

“We are merely moving shadows,

and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.

We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?

My only hope is in You.”

 – Psalm 39:6-7

 

When I rush around living like Martha, I end up distracted, exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious. It’s so far from peaceful and abundant that it’s not even funny. In His infinite love, the Lord nudges my thinking, gently redirects my focus, and gives me grace and another chance. It’s easier to face the world with my eyes on Christ and a heart quieted by His peace.

 

“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

 – Isaiah 30:15

The Love of God

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell.

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure --

The saints' and angels' song.

When hoary time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God's love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam's race --

The saints' and angels' song.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure --

The saints' and angels' song.

Could we with ink the ocean full,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure --

The saints' and angels' song.

- Frederick Lehman

Jesus the Lord My Savior Is

Jesus the Lord, my Savior, is

Jesus the Lord, my Savior, is

My shepherd and my God

My light, my strength, my joy, my bliss

And I His grace record.

Whate’er I need in Jesus dwells,

and there it dwells in me.

‘Tis Christ my earthen vessel fills

with treasures rich and free.

Mercy and truth and righteousness

And peace most richly meet

In Jesus Christ, the King of grace,

In whom I stand complete.

As through the wilderness I roam,

His mercies I’ll proclaim.

And when I safely reach my home,

I’ll still adore His name.

“Worthy the Lamb,” shall be my song,

“For He for me was slain.”

And with me all the heavenly throng

Shall join and say, “Amen."

- Sandra McCracken

"The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior."

- II Samuel 22:3

All the Paths of the Lord are Good

It’s been raining for two days steady. The lake is that curious blend of blue, grey, and green that Sarah Wheaton missed when she moved from Maine to join Jacob, Anna, and Caleb in the Great Plains. A mist hovers over the lake and the winds throw tiny droplets of rain at the windows. Yesterday gave us the first thunderstorm of the spring, but today there is enough chill for one last fire in the fireplace. It’s the perfect weather for sitting inside, drinking tea, reading, writing, and reflecting.

 

“All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness”

 – Psalm 25:10

 

I’m not sure when the Lord first brought this verse to my attention, but it has been on my heart a lot during the past month. This last year was very different than I would have ever imagined. Different, but not in a bad way.

 

As I’ve noted before, it seems like we set out on the straight and narrow path with a picture of what the Christian life will be like. We imagine what the good will be, how the Lord will bless us, or even what suffering we might have to go through. Somehow, much to our surprise (and sometimes chagrin) it is very different than what we had expected.

 

I find that it’s the same way with many of the verses I read. Almost subconsciously, I find myself expecting how the Lord will teach me the truth of what I just read. Maybe it will be through this, or maybe that will happen. More often than not, His lessons are usually harder and I learn the lesson in a much more significant way. 

 

The further I go, the more I realize that His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), but they are so much better than anything I could have chosen for myself.

 

My job as an EMT is not what I would have chosen. In fact, it was one of those things I told the Lord I would NEVER do. Through working on the ambulance, He has brought me to my knees and shown me anew how sufficient His grace and daily measure of strength really is. He has stretched me in ways I would have never thought possible, demonstrating His utter faithfulness in every last detail.

 

The speaker at a college-age Bible study I attended recently pointed out that, logically, we have no reason to ever doubt God again. The testimonies of His faithfulness in the lives of those recorded in Scripture are more than sufficient proof – not to mention the answered prayers, deliverance, and guidance in our own lives.

 

I should never doubt God again. Yet, in my human finiteness, I do, again and again. And, because of His grace, He proves Himself to me, over and over.

 

All the paths of the Lord are good. I honestly would have doubted that, even two months ago. I was wrestling with God over my future and trying to discover what His plan might be. Was it more school? Was it moving away? Was it both? Was it neither? Was it something entirely different? Was I missing it?

 

Those questions swirled in my head every day, all day as I prayed for grace and strength for each day and the homework, classes, people, and work that awaited me.

 

Looking back, I see He was testing my faith. His path had not disappeared, as I may have wondered, but rather it was revealed very slowly, a single day at a time. He was taking me to a new level of waiting on Him and sifting my heart to show me which desires were His and which were my fleshly ones. He was asking me to trust His promises of guidance, even though it seemed like He wasn’t guiding.

 

My questions aren’t all answered. I don’t know why the Lord brought me through some of the things He did in this past year. I’m not sure what lies ahead, but I do know what He’s called me to do right now: take one step at a time in humble obedience and faith.

 

All the paths of the Lord are good. The KJV says they are “mercy and truth.” His ways are His best for us.

 

The entire verse: “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies” (Psalm 25:10). From us, He wants nothing more than our obedience – our demonstration of our love for Him.

 

David begins this Psalm with a humble surrender: “Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul” (Psalm 25:1).  It begins with surrendering our all to Him and an earnest seeking for His ways. “Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me” (Psalm 25:4-5).

 

David realized that God’s way was best. He wanted to be taught the Lord’s ways, to be led in the Lord’s paths. He was willing to give up his own plans, hopes, and dreams and exchange them for something far better: the Lord Himself.

 

“You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

 – Psalm 16:11

 

On the Heart

Image via Pinterest.

"The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues,

that he may be on the inside what he appears to be on the outside.

And it should be even better on the inside than on the outside,

for God is a discerner of our hearts."

- Thomas á Kempis

"For the LORD does not see as man sees:

for man looks at the outward appearance, 

but the LORD looks at the heart.”

- I Samuel 16:7

"For the word of God is living and powerful, 

and sharper than any two-edged sword, 

piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,

 and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

- Hebrews 4:12

My Life as of Late

As spring slowly peeks around the corner, I am finding myself stretched as my daily life pulls me in multiple directions and the Lord leads me to new heights. This winter and spring have placed many new opportunities and challenges in front of me. First was the influenza-like virus that lingered on for two months, giving me a new appreciation for the blessing of good health. The second challenge is the next step for my life and earnestly seeking the Lord. Singleness is such a precious gift. I want to live it to the fullest -- to be the vessel Paul speaks about in II Timothy 4, poured out for those around me.

So, while my corner of the web has been quiet, my life has been the opposite. It is quite the mental exercise to constantly switch from one thing to the next. In between writing case briefs, drafting search warrants, researching juvenile delinquency and pregnancy, and studying for exams, I rush between meetings, the local pregnancy resource center, and my two jobs. One hour finds me explaining the classical period of music and how to articulate phrases in Mozart's pieces while the next might find me trying to stay balanced in the back of the ambulance while doing CPR on an overdose patient. I also do lessons over Skype, which is great, but technology inevitably stops working just when you need it (windy days really do affect Internet quality).

Did I also mention that I have also become somewhat a morning person? It's hard to believe it took a type-A like me several years to realize that I can fit more in my day if I get up at 6 a.m. I also think (as other college students will probably agree) that you don't start losing your memory at age 50 -- I lost mine when I got to college. I would not survive without my iPhone calendar and alarm apps. Yesterday found me taking two trips to the laundry room to get things out of my tactical pant pockets because I forgot what I had taken with me and which pocket I put them in. I apparently didn't remember everything because a pair of exam gloves still went through the laundry (thank goodness I rescued the lip balm and the hand sanitizer).

Spotify Premium and my car have become two of my best friends. I spend a lot of time with both of them. I have also increased my time management skills in an effort to become more creative, more efficient, and do even more. That can be both good and bad (I have yet to learn how to say no and keep my life more balanced). Did you know you can empty three wastebaskets and take out the trash in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea? I learned that today.

The third major challenge is keeping my relationship with the Lord first in my life and people second, above everything else. Taking the time to listen and pray with someone is far more important than studying an extra hour and getting an A on that exam. Time in the car is a great opportunity to spend time with the Lord in prayer. Audio Bible apps are a great way to do your devotions and memorize Scripture. I also love the SheReadsTruth app that offers free downloadable wallpapers for my iPhone. That way, the first thing I see when I turn my phone on or before I type in my access code is a Scripture verse.

In the midst of a jam-packed life, I was so thankful to get away for a week over spring break and spend precious time with family. It was such a blessing to enjoy the beach, spectacular sunsets, good food, and fellowship. The Lord has given us so many blessings if we just take the time to notice them, enjoy them, and be thankful.

With that, I'll close with a verse that has been close to my heart during these past two months. How thankful I am to be a treasured daughter of the King who protects me, delivers me, and loves me beyond what I could ever imagine.

"My goodness, and my fortress;

my high tower, and my deliverer;

my shield, and He in whom I trust."

- Psalm 144:2

Show Me // A Poem

Last night I was discouraged and weary in spirit. The Lord in His goodness led me to Scripture after Scripture, reminding me of precious truths and promises. He also led me to this poem and it so aptly described my heart that I had to share it here. It was such an amazing reminder of how intimately the Lord knows our hearts, right down to every single thought, care, desire, and doubt. He looks down on us with all the love of a Father and gently prompts us to turn our eyes back to Him.

Show Me the Shining of Thy Face

- Amy Carmichael

As when on the mountain, wood and stream,

A chilly mist doth sudden fall,

And passeth as a shining dream
The glory that did lighten all,

So is it, Savior, when a chill

As if of mist oppresseth me;

Where is the garden, where the hill,

Gethsemane and Calvary?

My joyous colors faint and fade

In cloudiness of dim distress;

And whispering doubts assail; afraid,

I walk as in a wilderness.

In such an hour, send forth Thy wind

That it may purge my heavy air;

The base affections of my mind --

Let them be sought out, dealt with there.

O sweetness, move in me, renew;

Look down from heaven, Thy dwelling place;

And do as Thou art wont to do.

Show me the shining of Thy face.

"Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

for the help of His countenance."

- Psalm 42:5

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

"I am the good shepherd and know My sheep, and am known of mine."

- John 10:14

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;

In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the guardian of our way;

Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;

Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;

Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.

- Dorothy Thrupp

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths

of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of 

the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff,

they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before

me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest

my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life: and I will dwell 

in the house of the Lord for ever."

- Psalm 23

Worship // A Lifestyle

As 2015 beckons me forward, with each day of the new year a gift from the Father above, I want to know Christ more. I want to grow ever closer to Him – to live a life worthy of Christ and the incredible things He has done for me out of His great love.

“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:1-2).

Last Sunday, I attended my sister’s church. Pastor Petterson’s message centered around Psalm 96 and his theme was worship.

“Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all the gods” (vs. 3-4).

Pastor Petterson reminded us that worship is all about who Christ is. It’s about praising Him for who He is – great and greatly to be praised. “Too often,” he said, “our worship focuses on what God has done for us…But, though God has blessed David by taking him from the sheep pens to a king’s throne, never once in this Psalm does he worship God for what He has done for him…If God never did a thing for us, He would still be worthy of our worship.”

He would still be worthy of our worship because of Who He is.

“For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary” (vs. 5-6).  

God is all-powerful, merciful, Healer, grace, light and life, perfect truth, amazing love, sustainer and Creator. He made us for Himself. He created us to love, obey, and walk in fellowship with Him. He wants our hearts, our praise, our worship, our all.

“Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come into His courts” (vs. 7-8).

He wants more of us – He wants all of us. He wants the cry of our hearts to be, “More of you, Lord, and less of me. You must increase, I must decrease.” He desires to bring me to the point of humility where there is nothing between my heart and His. He wants us to worship Him and declare His glory to the world.

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously” (vs. 9-10).

How do we worship like that? Worship is not just singing during Sunday morning service – worship is a lifestyle, lived in humble, faithful obedience to God’s Word. That’s how we show Christ to those around us – how we declare His name among the unsaved. When we are focused on Him and praising Him for who He is, then we are transformed into His image and Christ’s glory is reflected to those around us. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:18).

Hannah Whitall Smith writes, “Our work is to behold, the Lord effects the marvelous transformation, and we are changed into the same image by the Spirit of the Lord. We must live closer and closer to Him. We must become better and better acquainted with His character and His ways; we must look at things through His eyes and judge all things by His standards.”

The practical result of beholding Christ, Amy Carmichael writes, is how the Lord uses us to reach others. “Have you ever felt caged? The need of the great dark sinful world calls to the heart, and the duty of the day closes around and seems to make it quite impossible to do anything for those perishing millions. There are no cage bars for light, any more than for song. If only with unveiled face we receive and reflect the glory of the Lord, He will cause that reflection to be again reflected and so by His marvelous loving grace even we shall reach out to those to whom we cannot go.”

Worship is all about Christ, but if we are not looking at Him, then we will lose sight of who He is and suffer defeat when we trust in ourselves. We need to take our eyes off us and turn our eyes on Christ. Below are two of my favorite musical expressions of this truth. 

The time is short. Eternity will soon be here. Each minute, every hour is another opportunity to live a life worthy of Christ. As Pastor Petterson noted, our worship on earth is the dress rehearsal for eternity, where we will worship Christ forever. Make your life count. Who and how you worship matters.

“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth; He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth” (vs. 11-13).