Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 11: Worship”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“When I have time…”
How many things in life…even important things get that response?
Life presents many opportunities for us with which to fill our minutes and our days. Work…hobbies…family…vacations. And more.
Worship can be done in all those things, but we have to be honest that sometimes our worship – personal and with other – gets put on hold while we get other things done in life.
Why is that?
I wonder if it’s because sometimes in those settings we fear the ridicule or the recourse that might come our way if our family, coworkers, or friends catch us “worshipping” during our everyday activities?
A sermon I listened to yesterday morning encouraged the listener to “pre-make decisions.” To avoid the question when it comes up, you simply decide and then follow through.
What would happen if you decided today to worship God consistently…regardless of what others’ reaction might be? Regardless of what else in life comes up? Regardless the consequence if someone found out you were a believer? Regardless your schedule? What would happen if worship was the big rock you always put in your day personally and always put in your week corporately?
It might get some resistance. It might be hard. But I guarantee it will be blessed.
The prophet Daniel is one such example.
He was taken captive to a foreign land. He was nearly forced to eat unclean foods. He had opposition attack him and get him to stop worshipping the Lord and worship the supreme leader. Yet because he decided that honoring the LORD was THE most important thing in life, he didn’t cave.
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” (Daniel 6:10-12)
What would you have done?
Would you continue honoring God, even at the threat of your life?
It’s easy to worship when there is no threat.
It is challenging…at least I think it would be…to be consistent in worship when your life is on the line.
But I pray for a heart of Daniel to love who God is and what he has done so much that the decision is made to always worship, consistently, even when it’s not convenient.
How did God honor that?
21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
God just gave Daniel another reason to worship! He shut the mouths of the lion and put to death those that not just opposed Daniel but opposed him and his name.
When we worship, God opens our hearts and lives to more reasons to worship!
Apply: Make a Spirit-enabled decision today to always worship the Lord, consistently, even when it is not convenient.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for all you are and all you do. Give me always the consistency in my worship so there is never a question “if I should” because it’s just the rhythm of “what I do.” Amen.