Worship Devotional LXV
Originally posted to the Facebook group on 3/19/2021.
Worship Devotional for 3/21/21
Philippians 4:12-13:
"I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Matthew 6:31-33:
"So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."
If we believe that Christ is truly enough for us, then we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. He is the only One who can truly satisfy the deepest yearnings of our souls, and the only One who can lead us to eternal joy, since eternal life is in Him alone. When will we realize that the things of this world are not worth pursuing or holding onto? They fade away and are gone just as soon as they appear. Even though it can feel like they last for a while, they will all end in death.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-11:
"What does the worker gain from his struggles? I have seen the task that God has given people to keep them occupied. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end."
We were made for eternity. But the world cannot satisfy what God put deep within our hearts. We must turn our hearts to Christ and seek God above all else. We must learn to pray like David did in Psalm 63:1-3 when he was in the wilderness:
"God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life.”
His love is better than life itself. This week is about praising the God who satisfies our souls with His love and goodness. Whether we are experiencing plenty and abundance or need and poverty, we have more than enough in Christ. As we seek Him first in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we hold onto faith in His promises, trusting that He will provide for our needs and lead us in the true and better way of His kingdom. If you have wealth and abundance of worldly goods, don't let them distract you or lure your heart away from what is true. Keep your focus on Christ, to serve and glorify His name in everything you do and with everything you have. If you are hurting and in need, run to Him for refuge and trust in His ability and willingness to provide for those who belong to Him, whom He loves so deeply. Whatever your circumstance, rejoice in His goodness and in His salvation! He is all we really need.
Psalm 16:9-11:
"Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures."
Here are the songs:
1) Psalm 63 (Better Than Life) by Shane & Shane
Psalm 63:
"God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory.
My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands. You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.
When I think of You as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches because You are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me.
But those who seek to destroy my life will go into the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the power of the sword; they will become the jackals' prey. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will boast, for the mouths of liars will be shut."
The word "enough" means as much as is required. God loves us and gives us so much more than just what is "required." In Him we have not only enough, but more than enough! No idol can compare to the One True God. Nothing else in the world is able to be enough for us, since God has put eternity in our hearts. But He who is eternal is enough to satisfy that deep and incomprehensible longing, and more. Therefore let us give Him all praise and glory and honor, with all our hearts and souls and minds and strength. He alone is worthy.
3) Psalm 16 (Fullness Of Joy) by Shane & Shane
Psalm 16:
"Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. I said to Yahweh, 'You are my Lord; I have nothing good apart from You.' As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones. All my delight is in them. The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips.
Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I will praise the Lord who counsels me — even at night my conscience instructs me. I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures."
When things get hard and struggles, trials, temptations, tribulation, and hardships come our way, we have to remember that we are satisfied only in God. We must look to Him for refuge and fulfillment, and not the things of the world. May His song of our fulfillment in Him for His glory be the song we sing in both the good times and the bad times.
Theme(s): God Satisfies
Scripture references:
Psalms 16, 17, 49, 50, 62, 63, 73, 84
Ecclesiastes
Matthew 6:19-34, 10:32-39, 16:24-28, 19:16-20
Luke 12
Galatians 5-6
Philippians 3-4
1 Timothy 6
1 John 2:15-17