Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, September 2, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 105:1–9

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number 11 of 12: “We sought God’s presence in our lives and the power to do His will through consistent prayer and meditating upon His Word.”

God is worthy of our praise! Where have I read that before? I know this is the same way we opened with yesterday’s thought, but it’s as true today as it was then. In today’s theme text, the psalmist ushers us into a worship session – a how-to of sorts.

He opens this particular song with thanksgiving and praise. He said to give thanks and call upon His name. Do you realize that there is power in God’s name? He’s God, our healer. He is God our strength. He is God our deliverer. He is God our way out of no way. He is God our resting place. He is God our provider. And because He is all of that and infinitely more, He is worthy of our praise! Call Him by name and He will answer.

The psalmist continues by encouraging us to sing of and talk about His wondrous works. He created the world and all that is in them. He gave you the Sabbath in which you can delight. He caused the sun to rise this morning. He refreshed the earth with rain so you could have food to eat and water to drink. He protected you from your crazy boss. He helped you say kind words to your neighbor when that neighbor said foul things to you about people that look like you. He helped you be cooperative on that last traffic stop. He put food on your table when your money ran out last month. He saved your daughter from that evil boyfriend she chose and she just broke up with him. Are you getting this? He kept you in your right mind as you read about the horrible news in Turkey, Russia, France, and even in America. He woke you up this morning, and although you were not ready to worship Him at first, you are ready now. Recount the many blessings He has bestowed upon you. He is worthy of your praise!

The psalmist continues by encouraging us to seek the Lord’s face and His strength. Seek Him while He may still be found, friends. I found myself praying all through the night because I wanted God to enlighten my mind with truth. Call on Him and He will answer. When you are too weak to overcome that temptation, call Him and seek God’s face. When you want to reach for that comfort food at midnight and you know you shouldn’t, call Him up. When your husband or wife seems to have lost his/her mind, call Him up. When all you want to do is get a decent night’s rest and your neighbor’s dogs keep barking, call Him up. When you want to hear a word from the Lord in church and your pastor obviously did not invest time in sermon preparation, call Him up. When you feel like you cannot get a prayer through to heaven, do not stop praying! Call Him up!

Today’s Scripture focus is deliberately geared toward encouraging us to actively, thankfully engage in worship and praise. The Bible says that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. If you want a sure fire way to experience the fullness of God, learn to worship Him. And as you do so, you will soon discover that sin no longer has dominion over you. Give God your praise. Give God your worship. Give God your life!—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery