Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Less Than Perfect Circumstances

It’s tempting to let painful circumstances in life prevent certain spiritual activities. For example, we may feel unworthy to enter into worship when we are hurting or grieving. We may feel strong feelings that cause us to think of ourselves as disqualified to meet with the Lord. Yet it’s interesting that two of the most profound worship experiences recorded in Scripture took place in painful and grievous circumstances.

Isaiah discovered in the year his dear friend King Uzziah died that he saw the Lord in all of His glory. (Isaiah 6) The Apostle John, while exiled and under great persecution, was lifted up into God's throne room and saw the one who is worthy of worship. (Revelation 5) Both of these life altering worship experiences took place in less than perfect circumstances to say the least. In fact, they were two very painful circumstances.

There’s something about being human that makes worship the last thought when grief and sorrow invade our lives, though it’s often the first thing God uses to set the stage for His greatest revelations. When I’m not in pain, I’m far more likely to allow my heart to wander off into unworthy pursuits. My sorrow drives me to seek Him and to long for Him.

In our less than perfect lives, in order to have a heart of understanding, we must see the Lord high and lifted up. He is lord. He is worthy. He is holy. He is in control. When I enter into worship, my perspective changes. I see clearer what matters and what doesn't. I feel his love and I’m reassured of his understanding.

I want to encourage the hurting person to look to the Lord in worship. He is worthy of our worship, but in worship we find hope, healing and joy again. We find relief from our suffering and strength for another day. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (NIV).

Ed Litton

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

PASTOR ED,
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WISDOM AND STRENGTH.OFTEN WHEN WE ARE HURTING THE MOST,WE FEEL WE DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO WORSHIP GOD.BUT THAT IS WHEN THE SPIRIT REACHES DEEP INSIDE OF OUR SOUL,IF WE WILL ALLOW HIM,AND HEALS US THE MOST!!!!WHEN WE ENTER WORSHIP WITH A HURTING HEART,TEARS OFTEN FLOW,ON OUR KNEES, HANDS RAISED,THAT IS WHEN GOD GIVES US THE MOST STRENGTH,PEACE,AND UNDERSTANDING.THAT IS WHEN WE KNOW GOD IS WITH US,AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US!!!!!!!WHY DO WE OFTEN FORSAKE HIM,PASTOR ED?IT IS WHEN WE ARE HURTING THAT HE WANTS TO HEAL US THE MOST!!!!AND I TRULY BELIVE THAT IS WHEN WE GAIN THE MOST PEACE IN DIFFICULT TIMES,IF WE WILL ONLY PRAISE HIM IN THE STORMS OF LIFE.PASTOR ED,I HAVE GROWN SO MUCH SPIRITUALLY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS,THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT MENTOR TO ME AND SO MANY OTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!
ANEDRA