Wednesday January 31, 2024

Today is Wednesday, January 31 and we are studying what the Bible says about Sabbath worship.

As I begin a new day, I fix my eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. I focus on faithfully following his footsteps as he gently leads me on the well-worn paths of holiness.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord and Savior, teach me God’s holy rhythm for a Sabbath life. Reveal truth and vanquish lies, let love cast out fear, shine the light that overcomes the darkness, and fill me with the peace that passes understanding. Amen.

As a new day dawns, I worship God and praise his name with the words of Psalm 146.

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:1-2

Pause and Pray

Nothing can stop us from worshiping God. In the sixteenth chapter of Acts, Paul and Silas are dragged by an unruly mob before the town magistrates. On unclear charges and without trial, they are beaten and thrown into prison. The prisons of the Roman empire were dark, foul dungeons below the ground with damp, reeking walls overrun with rats and vermin. Paul and Silas would have been held in stocks in great discomfort on the damp floor, enduring excruciating pain while lying on their bloodied backs. In their distress and fear, in an uncertain time of worry and despair, they worship God!

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. Acts 16:22-26

Could I have that kind of worship? Not merely the worship of God when it is convenient, when the weather is fair, when my calendar is not too crowded and there are no major sporting events airing on television. Not merely the worship of God when things are going well, when I have blessings to count, and there is much for which I am grateful. Not merely the worship of God when it is easy to find a parking place and a seat in the pew, when I like the preacher’s message and the music choices for the day. Will I worship in times of difficulty? Will I worship in times of darkness – when there is worry, uncertainty or fear? Will I worship when there is bad news and life overwhelms me. Will I worship like Paul and Silas?

Ask: When am I most inclined to worship God? When does my environment enhance or detract from my worship experience?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I worship you. In joy and sorrow, in ease or pain, on good days and bad, in the light and the darkness, I lift up my soul and sing praises to your glorious name. In my places of confinement, loneliness, sorrow and uncertainty, let others hear the sounds of my thanksgiving and praise. Let nothing prevent me from worshiping you in Spirit and in truth. I read the words from Acts again and listen for the message you have for me.

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. Acts 16:22-26

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider the message God has for me today as I ruminate on this story from Acts. I remember the times and places when I have felt attacked, criticized, or treated unjustly. I ponder the current situations that have me immobilized, bound or imprisoned. Maybe God wants to remind me that in the worst times and in the best times I can turn to him in prayer. Perhaps this story is an admonition that even in the most difficult circumstances, the act of worship will unite me with God, with my faith family, give me hope and lift my spirits. Maybe God wants me to know that when I least feel like worshiping, is when I need to the most.

Pause and Pray

Come, Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, enter the prison cell of my heart and give me the words I need to sing praise to you. Show me what it means to give thanks and worship you in all circumstances. Remind me what it means to entrust my life to you and seek you first in every situation. Amen.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3

As I leave this time of prayer, I go with a joyful heart to love and serve God and my neighbor in all that I do.

Amen