NOTE: This is the last in the 4-part series of Walter Bright’s “Benefits of Genuine Worship.” I trust it has blessed you, as it does me. Our Police Chaplain Ronnie Melancon will be back in action next week, but please continue to share and support Walter Bright’s ministry.
July 5, 2013·by walter bright· in Worship. ·
Worship increases spiritual strength and endurance in the life of the worshiper
Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the
Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
I don’t know about you, but from time to time I find myself in that place of exhaustion. Sometimes I lack the courage and strength to make progress. But through worship life begins to make sense again.
Speaking to a group of weary and fainting believers, the Hebrews writer encouraged them to “lift your drooping hands and strengthen weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint.”
Lifting drooping hands speak of a place of exhaustion, yet it is indicative of the fact that strength and power comes through hands being lifted up in worship (Moses / Ex. 17:12).
Weak knees also speak of a place of exhaustion, but it remains true that if we would but bow our knees in worship, waiting on the Lord, he will show up to increase our strength so that we can walk and not faint, run and not grow weary, mount up on wings like eagles.
Worship creates an atmosphere for miracles, signs and wonders to happen
If you don’t believe it, try throwing a pity party. The fact here is that Paul and Silas had all the right reasons to complain and throw a pity party: They loved the Lord, they were serving him, but here they were in shackles in a Roman prison.
Acts 16:24-26 says, “Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.
And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”
We must always in good times or bad – happy or sad, make a choice to worship. Doors may not always fly open for us like it did for Paul and Silas, but when we choose to worship and not complain, it will create an atmosphere for him to move, commune, dwell or encourage.
Worship embeds deep within our hearts a Peace that surpasses understanding
If you’ve ever met anyone with a praise still on their lips even though they may be going through a trying time – than you have met the fulfillment of Philippians 4:7.
That person may be down to their last dime, with unpaid bills, yet they have a peace that surpasses understanding. Philippians 4:7 says, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This person understands that there is a problem. He is not in denial of the lack he has or the pain he is feeling. It is not a blind faith that they told us we needed to have – ignore the problem or act as if it is not there.
No, we “understand” that the problem is there, and the only think that is keeping us from losing our minds is the peace of God.
This is a supernatural peace that comes from God and it’s activated by being anxious for nothing, but in everything making our needs known to God through worship, prayer, supplication and thanksgiving.
When we come into God’s presence leaning on the giver and not the gift and the lack thereof, he drops this supernatural peace deep down in our hearts.
The most beautiful thing about it is – it guards our hearts and minds. It keeps us from losing our minds.
I hope this was a blessing to you!