Worship Devotional XLII
Originally posted to the Facebook group on 10/3/2020.
Worship Devotional for 10/4/20
The last few weeks we have been singing about the goodness of God and reflecting on His faithfulness and love toward us. Last week we praised Him because He is good even in the midst of trouble and hardship and trying times. This week we are focusing on His goodness again as well as His sovereignty. The goodness of God works and acts and accomplishes because of the sovereignty of God. God is not just good in theory or as some nice idea. He is not an idol that we define according to our own ideas and purposes. He is the one true and living God, the Creator and Judge, who reigns over and above everything, including all our problems and sins and struggles. Because of His sovereignty, He is able to act and work according to His goodness. We see this in Romans 8:28-30, which says:
"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified."
We know that we are the ones who are called according to His purpose because we have believed in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Therefore, we have hope that endures and does not fail. We can rejoice even in trials because we have such received salvation from the Lord. We stand confidently in the truth, and yet also bow in humility before the only One who is worthy to receive all glory and honor and praise.
It is important for us to remember especially in these times that God is good and that He is sovereign. He is in control, even though the world may appear to be spinning out of control. All the chaos of the nations and the shaking of earthly kingdoms is just a test of our faith, an opportunity to put our trust in God and to believe in His word, that we may see Him act in truth and justice and power to save, heal, and deliver those who are hurting and in need — and that we may see His good promises come into fulfillment, for we know that He is faithful. As we endure the hardships of the current age in which we live, let us remember the wonderful words of Psalm 23:1-4:
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me.”
These songs are the beginning of what we will be getting at over the next few months with our corporate singing. We are praying for revival. We may pray for revival in our nation, or in multiple nations, for we can see that we need it. We pray to see God move in the world around us that His glory may be on display throughout the whole earth. However, we also need to be praying for revival in ourselves. It starts in us, with our own wandering hearts and dulled minds. We need the Lord to shepherd us, and lead us along the right paths for His name's sake, and to renew our lives. Thank God that in His goodness He is willing for us to be revived and made more fully alive in Him, and that in His sovereignty He is able to do it! May we come to a place as we sing about His goodness and power and faithfulness where we see how desperately we are in need for Him to change our hearts and make us whole in Him, and may we turn away from evil and sin and darkness and run toward the One who satisfies us forever with His goodness.
Here are this week's songs:
1) Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy) by Shane & Shane
Psalm 23 offers great comfort for us in these times. Things are hard, confusing, tense, and a little scary right now. The world is sorely lacking in peace, rest, and truth. We do not need to wander aimlessly in the mess of the world like sheep gone astray anymore, looking for sweet grass to feed on in the midst of weeds in a dry and desolate land. 1 Peter 2:25 says:
"For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."
We can now say along with King David, the author of Psalm 23, that:
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack."
This song also draws from Psalm 91:1-6:
"The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' He Himself will deliver you from the hunter's net, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon.”
We don't have to be afraid of the darkness and evil and destruction around us. We are not called to live in fear of the world or of the evil one. Instead, let us return to the Lord who is our good Shepherd, and find refuge, peace, and rest for our weary souls.
Psalm 23:6:
"Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”
2) Sovereign Over Us by Aaron Keyes
God is with us, He is still at work in and through us, and He is still reigning over us in power, authority, wisdom, justice, righteousness, truth, and love. He has great plans for us, even when the things that we see happening around us don't make sense. When it feels like hope is slipping away, we should remember what Joseph said to His brothers in Genesis 50:20 after everything they had done to harm him: "You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result — the survival of many people.” Joseph was wronged in many ways throughout his life. There were times — even lasting for years on end — when things didn't look very good for Joseph. But he continued to trust God and to live with integrity. In the end, God worked everything out for the good of not only Joseph, but many people of multiple nations, and all to His glory. So even when things are hard and don't seem to be getting better, God is still working for good. We must hold onto His wonderful promises and keep trusting in Him with all our hearts.
All this singing about God's goodness and power is easy to agree with in our minds. We know that these things are true. But Scripture doesn't just convey these truths without any requirement on our part. Romans 2:4 tells us that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. He is rich in grace, kindness, mercy, and patience toward us so that we might come before Him with soft and humble hearts, turn from our wickedness, and seek His face. The evil things of the world that our hearts are so prone to wander after will fade away. The goodness of God, however, remains forever. Let us therefore hold fast to what is good and of God, and put away all that is evil and fleeting. This song is about seeking to be changed and made more like Jesus as we sing and praise God for His goodness.
4) You Are God Alone (Not A God) by Billy Foote
There is no one like our God. He is not a god/idol, that we can control or fashion according to our ideas or preferences. He is the one true and living God, the Creator and Judge of all things, who has always been, who is, and who always will be. There is no other who is good, holy, righteous, just, all-powerful, sovereign, and eternally satisfying. Nothing compares. He alone is God, He alone is good, and He alone is sovereign over all things. Let us find comfort and joy in knowing this, for God is on the throne in both the good and the bad times. He is unchangeable, unshakeable, and unstoppable. May His name be praised forever!
Scriptures:
Genesis 50:19-20
Psalm 23, 91
John 10
Romans 2:1-11, 8
1 Peter 2:25
Over the next few weeks, let us keep in mind our need for revival and for a rekindling of the Holy Spirit's flame in our souls. There are exciting things ahead — practically, that means there are some new songs we will be singing and powerful themes that we will be focusing on. But I believe that God is going to do some amazing things in and through us even though there will be more trials and difficulties ahead as well, because I know that He is good and He is in control.