Worship Devotional LXXXIX
Originally posted to the Facebook group on 9/18/2021.
Worship Devotional for 9/19/21
Whether in joy or in sorrow, in times of abundance or in times of need, in pleasure or in pain, we must lift our eyes to the One who satisfies us with His truth and love forevermore. When things are going well for us and we feel blessed with this world's goods, we must lift our eyes to Christ and not let our hearts turn toward the empty promises of what the world offers — the deceptive and fleeting pleasures of worldly things. When things are trying and difficult and we experience struggle and pain, we must lift our eyes to Christ to find encouragement and strength to endure the temporary hardships of this life. Either way, regardless of how we feel, we need for the Lord to rescue and deliver us from the present evil that is in the world around us, whether it comes against us in blatant attack or in subtle deceit and distraction. Whatever you are going through in your life right now, there is One who is able to deliver you, to rescue you, and to be your refuge and stronghold. Praise God that He hears us and stands ready to rescue us when we cry out to Him in faith!
Songs:
1) Always by Kristian Stanfill
When we are surrounded by all the tactics the enemy uses to try to come against us, we have One who is greater who we can look to for help. He has promised to protect and deliver us, and His word never fails. The help may not come in our timing, but God's timing is perfect. He knows what He is doing. He will always reach out to rescue and to save those who belong to Him.
2) You Alone Can Rescue by Matt Redman
No one can save themselves nor cleanse themselves from their sin. We are helpless on our own against the reign of death through the sin and evil that lies in our own hearts. We stand condemned before God if we were to be judged based on our own merit. But God made a way for us to be saved from the wrath and condemnation we deserve. He sent His own Son to take on human flesh and become the perfect sacrifice in our place, to atone for our sins by His blood.
2 Corinthians 5:21:
"He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
He rescued us from the real enemies of sin and death, which previously held us in slavery to fear. He did what we could never do when He gave His life on that cross to save us from the wrath of God toward sin. He saves, redeems, rescues, heals, and delivers us for all eternity, and there is no one else who can. Let us lift our eyes in faith to the One who is willing and able to give life.
3) My Help Comes From The Lord by The Museum
Psalm 121:
"I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever."
Romans 5:6-11:
"For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him."
Colossians 1:9-14:
"For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven't stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of HIs will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him."
Theme(s): Rescue, Refuge
Scripture references:
Psalms 34, 35, 40, 42-43, 68, 91, 107, 116, 121, 124
Ezekiel 34 (esp. vv.10-16)
Romans 5:6-11
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Colossians 1:9-14
2 Timothy 4:18
Hebrews 2 (esp. vv. 14-15), 12:1-2