I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
Psalm 77:11
The act of worshiping through music helps me come to a place of remembrance. It's a beautiful exchange of experiencing my own closeness to God while acknowledging his greatness and faithfulness, and the vast number of reasons he is worthy of my devotion. There are certain phrases in worship that remind me of specific times in my life that God was there and he was faithful.
The act of worship is more than a one way expression of our praise and exultation of God. It's a time and a place and a moment that we can allow ourselves to remember and reflect on God's character. Songs have been sung and rebirthed over thousands of years, like ancient stories recorded in scrolls. By singing the same phrases as David's honest Psalms or Job's lament, we can both remember God's faithfulness to his people throughout the centuries, and also his faithfulness in specific areas of our lives today.
Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to let ourselves remember. It requires allowing space in our lives that isn't already cluttered with our own agendas and predispositions.
It's requires humility and honesty—the ability to recognize and say, "this was God...not me."
DEUTERONOMY 8
10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Think of a time in your life that God has brought you through.
Was it a death you grieved?
A financial crisis?
A stronghold or a sin—an "Egypt"—you were delivered from?
A relationship in desperate need of healing?
An illness?
Direction in making a big decision?
Thank the Lord for his sustenance, strength and power during that time in your life. Remember him while things are going well now, "for it is he who gives you the ability..."
Are you in the midst of a difficult season? Remember to remember his faithfulness during this time as well. He will continue to sustain you as you lift your head, draw near and worship him.
Bring a song of praise to the Lord. Remember him and his faithfulness, and give him thanks!
Jamie
jrobison@b4church.org
No comments:
Post a Comment