Worship Devotional XVII
Originally posted to the Facebook group on 3/20/2020.
Worship Devotional
Psalm 46:1-2, 7:
"God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas... The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold."
We as believers know the secret. We have the true answer, the key to what people really need. While all the nations rage and scramble to find something to provide for them a sense of security and comfort, we can rest in what we have come to know — all our hope, peace, comfort, joy, and rest is in Jesus Christ alone, and we find our refuge, true and eternal, in Him. In Him alone, we are satisfied — even when the foundations of the world are shaken, and its systems collapse and break around us.
So what is the key to this great comfort we have? The cross. We have access into God's holy presence as children who have been redeemed and made pure and blameless because of the sacrifice Jesus gave on the cross. Now by God's grace through faith in Him, we are saved. No matter what happens in this life and in this world, we have a true and everlasting hope. We have been raised to life with Jesus our great refuge and eternal joy. We can sing with the psalmist who wrote about the Messiah in 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 we are singing this week:
1) Psalm 46 (Lord Of Hosts) by Shane & Shane
Psalm 46:8-11:
"Come, see the works of the Lord, who brings devastation on the earth. He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; He burns up the chariots. 'Stop your fighting — and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.' Yahweh of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold."
The Lord of Hosts (the God who commands the armies of heaven) fights for His people to deliver them (Is. 36-37) and bring glory to His name (Is. 48:1-11, Ez. 36:16-38). And this is the God we belong to, our faithful Father in heaven, who has given His word that He will always be with us. Let us find rest and peace and strength in the fear of the Lord our God (Proverbs 14:26-27)!
See also: Genesis 32:24-31; 2 Corinthians 5:7
Whatever comes our way, we are satisfied in God alone. This song is simply a reminder of this wonderful truth. This will be our prayer — that through our struggles and doubts, through our fears and uncertainty, and through both the good times and the bad, may we remember that we are satisfied in God alone.
Psalm 62:5-8:
"Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge."
See also: Psalms 16, 62, 63, 118; Luke 14:25-35; Hebrews 13:5-6
3) Psalm 16 (Fullness Of Joy) by Shane & Shane
Psalm 16:5-6:
"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."
People frantically rush around in vain trying to store up earthly possessions and things they think will satisfy them and bring them joy. But what they ultimately get is only temporary and partial, and will quickly be completely gone.
What we have in Jesus, however, is eternal and complete. In His presence is fullness of joy. At His right hand are eternal pleasures. This is what we have to look forward to as those who have died to ourselves and this world, and have been made alive with Christ Jesus that we might live with Him forever. This is our beautiful inheritance, given freely to us who believe by God's grace.
See also: Genesis 3:14-15; John 1:14, 19:30; Romans 16:20; Galatians 3:10-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1, 2:14-15
4) To Live Is Christ by Sidewalk Prophets
It's nice to talk about victory and hope and eternal joy and pleasure, but we don't have anything apart from Christ. We must always keep in our minds and hearts the message of the gospel. Only through Jesus, and in following Him, do we have victory and inherit the glorious promises of God.
Philippians 1:21:
"For me, living is Christ and dying is gain."
See also: Matthew 10:37-39, 16:24-27; Galatians 5:24; Philippians 3, 4:11-13; James 4:4-8; 1 Peter 5:5-6
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we can be truly satisfied in God. In Him alone we have peace and hope in the midst of confusing and chaotic times.