Worship in Worries

For several days I had a sinking feeling at the bottom of my stomach regarding all that is going on in the world. How about you? Have you been having any feelings of anxiety regarding world affairs? I know very well that the Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing but rather pray and give thanks in everything. This should be what I am doing, but sometimes I get inundated by all the bad news which seems to be unending. I always have to remind myself that God is in control and none of what is happening has taken Him by surprise. Actually, all of what is going on is working out His plan for the world. When I rest in this truth then I can worship God in the worries.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

This passage in Habakkuk was what helped me through the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Towers in New York City. This incident rocked many people’s world including my own. As I walked away from Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge I looked over to where the Twin Towers used to be and there in its place was a mushroom cloud of smoke and dust. I had that sinking feeling that day. I had lost a friend, and the world had forever changed. The global impact was significant, and many people had lost the sense of security they had before the attack. I and other Christians throughout the world looked for a way to see the goodness of God in all the chaos and to praise Him in all the badness.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:1-4

Sometimes the problems won’t go, but our fears in the fiery furnace of trials will dissipate because we can bless the Lord at all times. When we look to Him and take our eyes off the troubles around us, then we gain a new perspective and we will start seeing Him as bigger than all that life throws at us. Truly, there is no problem that is too big for God.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah  Psalm 46:1-3

Troubles will come, but in God we will triumph. Our lives may not look like how we desired in these tests that life brings us, but if we stay still and not lean on our own understanding, we will see the victory that we have in Jesus. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks, we can’t do things their way and we cannot rely on our own ability. We just have to trust God in all things and let Him guide us, even if His way doesn’t make sense. The amazing thing is that God can give us joy in the trials.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

It seems crazy that we can move from having many different trials to being “perfect, complete, and lacking nothing”.  That is what God in us does. Our troubles should make us stronger when we are in Christ, and they prepare us for the next test. I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but as long as we are on this earth, it won’t be smooth sailing. There will be lots of bumps in the roads, but all the stumbling blocks we encounter can be steppingstones to move us to a higher level in Christ. Therefore, we can praise Him when the challenges come.

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:20-21

Job was going through a very difficult time in his life. He lost his children, his possessions, and his health. But when his wife told him to curse God and die, he wouldn’t. He was determined that although God seemed to have been slaying him, he would still trust Him. When we know who God is and we trust Him, then like Job, we can still worship Him in the worries.