A Choosey Worshipper

"Though [God] slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face." - Job 13:15

Job knew something of which we are often ignorant. The most important things in our lives depend on our choices. We often degrade love, forgiveness, and worship to simple emotional responses. But if these things were merely emotional, then they would be very fickle responses indeed. We would only love those who loved us in return. We would only forgive those who groveled enough to satiate our anger, and we would only worship a God who continually brought us good things.

If these were based solely on our emotions, it would also make God something of a tyrant! God has commanded us to love one another, to forgive one another, and to worship the Lord, our God, and serve him only! If we could not choose to do these, but could only love, forgive, and worship as an emotional response, then God would have commanded something of us that we could not give. But, I believe that Job was onto something.

Yes, Job was onto something. His children had all died, his health was failing, his own wife told him to "curse God and die" just to get it over with, his friends told him that all this trouble must be God punishing him for some hidden sin, and yet Job chose to worship. He chose to put his hope and his trust in God despite the circumstances. He went so far as to say, "God could outright kill me, and I would still put my hope in Him."

He knew what I often forget. My circumstances do not change God’s holiness, compassion, love, or any other attribute of his character. God
is still worthy of my hope and my worship. God is still worthy of our worship. God is still worthy of your worship.

This week, join with me in examining God’s faithfulness in the light of difficult circumstances; and join with Job in choosing to worship God in spite of, because of, and in all circumstances.

(Matt: 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.)

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