This past Sunday I had the privilege of addressing the congregation of TruLife Christian Fellowship in Lynnfield, MA. To this small and dedicated band of (mostly) seniors, I sensed my heart knit together with theirs in Christian love as we worshipped side by side.
Although small in number but large of heart, this group of seniors (some into their 90’s) found encouragement, I pray, that in God’s eyes there is always 100% attendance. Imagine that, 100% of those God has ordained to be among them for that day! What a sovereign God! I’m sure for them, as well as many in our country, there is such a huge temptation to despair or rejoice in our worship of God depending on sheer numbers alone. But O how worthy is God of our worship – even our highest praise – regardless of any external circumstances we may face. He is God, and thus worthy of all praise if big, small, medium, hurting, happy, young, old…you get my point. Remember Job! The LORD is GOD and there is no other! How blessed He is when by grace we count Him as precious as He really is! And how good it is for us to acknowledge that. It does the heart good to worship its Maker. There is so much in God, like a bottomless ocean, in which our worship can swim. In the passage I spoke on notice big words worthy of a great God. Words like "created", "heaven" and "earth", "Lord", "everything", "all things", "everything else". Try listing a few of those "everythings". Read again
Acts 17.16-31 and think for a minute about God as He is heralded with a “hear-ye, hear ye” by Paul. The truth is: God is so much more great, majestic, beautiful and holy than we think He is. After unfolding God to the “very religious” idol worshipper of Athens, Paul then warns them to think rightly about God – to think in a manner according to the truth about God. Their gods were as able to stand before God as Dagon was (
1 Sam. 5.1-5). After giving them no shortage of substance in which to sink the teeth of their minds into, he calls them to change their thinking - to repent. Forsake their puny thoughts about God and see Him for who He really is. We can have such big thoughts about the creation (anything created) and little ones about the Majestic Creator and Redeemer. God commands all people everywhere to believe according to what is true, because if they don’t, God has already proved He will judge justly one day. Want proof He will do this? Try to find the bones of Jesus in a tomb in Palestine. More truth is that there are no bones there. He was raised from the dead. There is the proof God will judge justly the puny thoughts of a Mighty God! I’m sure those in Athens, nor you, nor I, want to be in that seat.
This is weighty stuff, huh? Weighty because God is so glorious! Psalm 24 announces:
Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.
In tender mercy God condescends in His Son to show us better things. Things that will glorify God and bless our lives. A great God produces great worship. Great worship includes blessing God and other people in His Name. O how desperate we are in our day to get a glimpse of God. May God lead us to greener pastures and more still waters. I look forward to joining together with these precious folk again in August... We covet your prayers.
