Worshiping God Through Our Wilderness, Part 3

"But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;I say,'You are my God'. My times are in Your hand;" Psalm 31:14-15a

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Worship is: 

~blessing God with honor and thanksgiving, 

~acknowledging God in prayer, thought and song

~meditating on God's Word, holiness & goodness

~declaring God's goodness, faithfulness and love

~holding fast to God's promises and our confidence in Him 
~outwardly living holy, humble and generous lives for God, all before an audience of One...His name is Jehovah.  Amen.

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Worship God through my misery, seriously? Yep. Before the answer even comes!

I really don't feel like worship can help in my wilderness! I totally get it. 
Faith (see Part 1&2 of this study) - not feeling, is our only real resource for the decision to worship God through trying times.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

Isn't worship hard, almost impossible to do while in life pain?!  It doesn't have to be, friend.
Think back, is there anything that God has given, has been or has done for you? Was He trustworthy? Are you grateful? Then even now - you can worship God...

How do I truly worship God while I'm tested, hurting and/or afraid? First we make the decision.
Our decision to worship God before His intervention,  is an act of faith and confidence in Him. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us worship God, and He does, ...ask Him.

"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed..." 1Peter 1:7

But you don't know the severity of my situation or circumstance! No one but God does beloved.

How can I worship God? In your own way. He loves your way! 

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." Hebrews 10:23

Scripture illustrates worship as personal, intentional and very powerful! 

[See Job 1:20-22; 2:7-10; Psalm 3; 9; 28; 31; 86,121; Acts 16:24-26] 

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Whether we can fully worship God now, deals with our perspective or belief.  This makes all the difference...because hidden within, we either believe:

God is bigger than our wilderness of pain, fear and/or brokenness.

[See 1Samuel 17:26, 32, 34-37, 46-47]

OR

Our pain, fear and/or brokenness is bigger than God! 

[See 1Samuel 17:24-25,33]

We'll need the Holy Spirit's help to change our perspective to God is always bigger!

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Throughout scripture we have examples of the people of God who worshiped Him in the midst of great and small victories, honors and celebrations. Also we're given awe-inspiring views of God's servants, who despite being in desperate, fearful and painful times, did trust, exalt and worship their worthy God. Some even to their deaths!

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"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

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Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

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"Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

Let's worship God, for He's at all times worthy!
Praying for you,

Theresa

*Scriptures cited are from NLT & NKJV