01/26/2021
Do we desire to be more intelligent, wise, and in control of our lives than we ever dreamed possible? If so the secret to accomplishing this is in studying, and meditating on the Word of God, and specifically on the commandments He and Jesus give us. In doing this we find new depth in the simplest sounding precepts, and sweetness rather than drudgery in obeying them. Then by using the fruit of our meditation in worship, we find that it wears smooth the rough and cutting sharpness of the hardest and most edgy commandments, and lifts our faith to new heights.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Psalm 119:103 ESV
Psalms 119 is a long chapter, but it teaches us to worship, and much about praise; more than any other in the Bible. It walks us letter by letter through the Hebrew alphabet teaching us new meditations in worship that thrill our souls. The encouragement that our faith receives here is profound. We can know by study, and become wise through understanding, but we thrill in our praise, and experience awe in worship because here we sing of what we know, and meet with the unseen why of the character of God. He uses our unceasing study of His Word as a tool in our worship to wear away the rough edges of our belief so as to smooth the way for our faith... allowing us to obtain a much sought after faithfulness and holiness.
““I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.”
Isaiah 45:2-3 ESV
It is fairly easy to answer the “what” questions as we read scripture. When asked what God made on the first day or the third day we can repeat what we have read in Genesis, but when we are asked “why” he did these things, then suddenly we need God to lead us to the answer, and that can take a lifetime of meditation... or even an eternity with Him. Seeing is believing, but to believe without seeing is the essence of faith; it is the same as knowing “what” without being able to understand “why”.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 ESV
So we can say that worship is a way of celebrating faith... it is the very expression of believing without fully understanding. This relationship between these two is witnessed time and time again in scripture.
“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
And...
By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.”
Hebrews 11:5-6, 21 ESV
So in our lives we can gain control over our day to day affairs through the study, meditation, and obedience of the commandments given us by God, and Jesus Christ, but it is through worshiping without fully understanding them that our faith is increased, and we are brought nearer to them, and being called holy as they are. Are we ready to worship in this way? Are we ready to have the implements of our meditation brought to bear on the rough edges of our belief... that we all have?
Hear, read, study, meditate, pray, obey, praise, and worship. These are the instruments of our belief and faith.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for allowing us to worship you even though our understanding of you is so childlike in its nature. Help us Holy Father to believe, and to increase in faith as we lay prostrate before you in our tears of love, and adoration... worshiping you from the bottom of our heart, and guided by your Holy Spirit. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who accepts our praise despite our ongoing meditation into your essence, and uses our worship as a means of making our road to you smooth and straight... worshiping you in spirit and truth as our maturity is able. Praised be your name Lord, for even in our immature faith we see your greatness, goodness, and love like mountains before us. You are merciful indeed, and your grace makes a way for us through Jesus as we are redeemed from sin, and made free from death by His life, death, and resurrection. Increase us in faith Father, and see in us the perfection of your Son Jesus as you hear our worship, and lead us into your presence, and an eternity with you.
“Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
Psalm 119:159-160 ESV
Rich Forbes