Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors. For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Charles Spurgeon, a well-known speaker who lived during the mid to late 19th century, had this to say; “Faith brings calm with it, and banishes the disturbers who both by day and by night murder peace.” Living life requires that we do our part. We’re responsible to harvest the fruits of our labor – but the above scripture reminds us that we needn’t worry because, even in our sleep, God provides. Rest easy in Him.
But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
The kind of worship our heavenly Father seeks isn’t subject to a location, tradition or time of day. It’s subject to a heart that’s genuine, desperately driven to reach for the Savior and proclaim truth over what He’s doing in our lives; what He’s done for us at Calvary’s cross. Even at this very moment, in the deepest part of our souls, He whispers an invitation for us to visit with Him. “Anywhere, anytime, now”.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
On a recent cruise, looking to the horizon, I saw nothing but water. Even though there were almost five thousand people on board, I couldn’t help but think how terrifying it might feel to be alone on the open sea. I was reminded; no matter where we are, God is there, and His love is deeper than the ocean. Worship today by thanking Him for His presence as He faithfully wraps you in His arms.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Throughout the Bible, there are amazing examples of those who made it a point to praise God, even in the face of adversity. Daniel prayed. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in a fiery furnace. Job, after losing everything, fell to his knees and worshipped. You might be facing some really tough things today. Don’t let them have the upper hand in your life. Worship the King of kings and there you’ll find great blessing.
“Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”
The famous actor, Anthony Hopkins, once explained, “If we have the vision to do something and can see it in our mind’s eye, then the moving parts to make it a reality have already been set in motion. We simply have to catch up.” Surely God knows what you’ve been dreaming of accomplishing lately. Worship today by trusting that He has already set the moving parts in motion and without hesitation, run to catch up!
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
It’s possible to pass through Music Row, Nashville and not even know it. Most record labels operate in what appear to be homes, tucked away, hidden from view. However, behind the scenes are the moving parts that help change the world one song at a time. Discouraged, thinking those good things you do go unnoticed? Be sure; God sees them, and He is using your work to change the world one act at a time.
11 Then they said to Moses, “Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.
Did you ever think “If I could just go back, yesterday was better.” The Israelites thought so as God took them from Egypt by way of the wilderness. This route made no sense to them. They couldn’t see that it was the one which, ultimately, would lead to their freedom. Sometimes, our journeys can be unimaginably arduous. Worship today by standing strong and staying the course. God is leading you to a much better tomorrow.
Bob sat across the table from me, newspaper covering all but the top of his forehead. He read aloud. “Full-time worship leader wanted.” Then he looked to me. “You can do that”, he said. That four-word phrase was literally responsible for launching my ministry career. Words are incredibly powerful. Today, make it a point to use yours to encourage. Ask God for wisdom and know that your words might just help someone find their way.
As a kid, I remember listening to family go round the Thanksgiving dinner table stating what they were thankful for. My turn, I would nervously blurt something like “MASHED POTATOES!”. “Lame!” I thought, my turn spent and I wanted to say so much more. However, God knew what I WANTED to say. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “It’s not a matter of words so much as a matter of heart”. Today, from a grateful heart, give thanks.
“Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”
Perhaps God has placed a dream on your heart. Apprehensive, even doubtful, you go for it. You stretch yourself beyond what you thought you were ever capable of. You lift more than you’ve ever lifted, only to fall short, stopped quickly in your tracks, dream unfulfilled. Remember the greatest good can often be met with the greatest adversity. Worship today by getting back up. Step out in faith. Trust God for details and go again.
