Worship

Scripture

What is pleasing to the Lord? It’s a loaded question, isn’t it? We know obedience is part of the answer. We can see in Psalm 147: 10-11 what else pleases Him.  It isn’t the strength of a horse nor the legs of a man…. it’s not physical things. We can certainly glorify God with our physical and mental attributes. We should dedicate ourselves to Him in all that we do. However, in the Psalm it is written that the Lord delights in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love. When my boys were young, they loved being picked up and thrown into the air. They didn’t fear because they trusted me to catch them. It would not have worked well for any of us had I thrown them in the air and then gone off to some other task. They were exhilarated by the entire action…but at its heart was a trust on their part that I was there for them. God is far more reliable than humans. He doesn’t forget about us mid-air. He doesn’t throw too far beyond His reach. When we put our hope in His unfailing love, it doesn’t mean that everything scary has gone away. It does mean that we can rest in knowing that it won’t overwhelm us. I know, I know, it’s so much scarier now than when we were little children. But the LORD hasn’t changed. He can catch us no matter what happens. His intent is to never do us harm, no matter what the world around us might intend. This is not to trivialize anything we face. There are very real challenges. But the trust that a child has for his/her parents is exactly what the Lord delights in having. When we are heartbroken, anxious and overwhelmed, even hurting physically, trust Him and hope in His unfailing love. It doesn’t suddenly make everything fun and exciting. But to truly know that your Father in heaven will grab a hold of you is the trusting He desires. He delights in that trust. And at the end of the day, once we trust we Him, we can delight in Him as well.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Romans11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

 In every instance that I do not have an answer, God does. 

ASK GOD

Romans 8:32 NASB

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 

 Surely the Lord is willing to grant us our very minor requests in comparison to the absolute best that Heaven has to offer; which He has already given us in His son Jesus!

SUBMIT TO GOD

Lamentations 3:24-25

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those who await Him, To the person who seeks Him. 

 I chose to wait until God’s answer is clear, until His hand is present, until His peace is my guiding force. I trust in His goodness.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, we know you are in control. Thank you that we can trust in your power and your word. Help us to recognize the magicians and illusions of this world that will attempt to distract us from your power. May your Holy Spirit lead us through conviction and encouragement to trust in your holy word.  In Jesus Name, Amen.