Anyone that knows me knows that I love worship. There is something so precious about singing wonderful truths to my awesome God. There is something about old hymns and new songs peppered with glorious truths that cannot fail to help me shift my gaze from the worries of this life to the splendour of God. In the early hours of today I was struck again by lines from the old hymn Amazing Grace - I played it on You Tube letting the words and truth wash over me afresh.
I have been reminded again recently of the unique opportunity that this planet offers us- an opportunity to worship amidst heartache, pain, tears, grief, hard times - whatever faces us. In that moment to step before God with all that stuff happening and lift our hands in simple adoration that He remains the same whether we are laughing or grieving - that His characteristics have not shifted with our mood- that He remains good, faithful, just, loving, ever-present. It has been a deeply precious truth that Malcolm and I have held on to over many years from Hebrews 13:8 which in truly glorious simpleness states ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ His unshifting unchangeableness sets my pea brain alight with wonder!
So why is this earth’s unique opportunity?
In this world we will have trouble, sadness, hardship but Revelation 21:4 tells us that in eternity that He will wipe every tear from our eyes (on a side note - I love that the hands that flung stars into space are gentle enough to wipe away tears). Sorry for the wee tangent but love that every time I read that verse! Back to Rev 21:4- He will wipe away every tear, there will be no death, no mourning, no crying, no pain and I imagine no hardship - our worship will be pure delight - it won’t be a painful sacrifice that is costly. I am reminded of the three mighty warriors who battled hard for water and when they presented it to David who realised all that had gone in to obtaining it; he poured it out in worship. The woman with the expensive perfume another costly sacrifice - in 2018 our sacrifice of worship can be costly as we stand in our struggles and amidst it all lift our hands to the One who deserves all our worship. But when we get to Heaven there won’t be the struggles, heartache or grief to worship in the midst of!
So dear friend whatever you face right now; take heart, take courage and lift your hands to praise Him - this is a unique opportunity that you won’t have in eternity!
