Day 21- Worship Must Happen in Every Situation
Read it: Acts 16:16-26
Live it:
Paul and Silas find themselves angering those who believe in a different worldview. The Christian worldview is in conflict with all other worldviews. The concept of the Trinity is unique to the Christian faith and creates conflict with all other worldviews. Thus, Paul and Silas find themselves suffering for their love for Jesus the Christ and their refusal to not share what He did for them.
Let’s note the places of worship: They were going to a place of prayer. They worshipped in a jail. They worshipped on the streets. It looks like we can worship anywhere and everywhere!
On the street while they are headed to prayer (Sunday 9 am?), they run into a person who is controlled by a demonic being. Worship draws out the enemy of God to disrupt what God’s people want to do in worship. Don’t be surprised that as we move closer to our Savior that the enemy attempts to disrupt us and stop us for our goal, giving God all the praise and honor He deserves.
Finally, worship is a choice! They worshiped God in prison with chains on their hands and feet in a place where others were, I’m sure, others were yelling and screaming for them to stop, but they didn’t. They sang and prayed anyway.
First, we can worship anywhere under any conditions. It is a mindset, not an emotion.
Second, one does not need music to worship. Paul did not have a piano, organ, guitar, drums, or any other instrument; he only had his voice and hands. Worship does not need a great worship band! So, there is no excuse for you not to worship no matter how “bad” the leader is.
Third, they worshiped because they were desperate for God’s presence. I have never been in jail, but I know that I would be desperate for God to protect and give me release if I were.
Here is the challenge: did you worship God today? Did you let the distractions of the lights, the guitar, or the drum stop you from worshiping? That is the enemy of your soul. Decide today that you will worship God with all your heart and not let anything stand between you and him.
Let the glory of the Lord rise among us! The glory only rises when the children of God worship!
Carl