1 Samuel 27; 1 Chronicles 9; 1 Corinthians 10; Psalm 141

A strength of mine, when it comes to my walk with God, is worship. I had forgotten part of the employment of Levites were singers. I am not saying I can sing, but rather that I like singing as part of my worship to God.

 Now these are the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free of other duties; for they were engaged in their work day and night. – 1 Chronicles 9:33 NASB

I see worship as a way to take my mind off of my troubles and issues that rob me of my joy. I also turn to worship as a way of avoiding temptation. I learned not to fear temptation as long as I did not embrace it. Worship allowed me to face it and overcome it.

No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB

As a guy, there is the enduring temptation in the area of sexuality. I remembered a sermon when I was sixteen on how to worship God for the amazing creation He created. That worship would not allow the temptation to go any further. I was thinking about King David going to the roof – was he going there to have some time alone with God? The idea of being alone with God was quickly changed with a moment of temptation. If David was going to write a new song or to pen a new poem to God, look how easily it was thwarted. I do not take lightly the gift of worship in my spiritual walk.

My alone time with God and the victory obtained there with worship bring me the strength I need during times of temptation.

Lord, I call upon You; hurry to me!
Listen to my voice when I call to You! – Psalm 141:1 NASB

Worship is not only singing, it is also prayer. “Hurry to me” expresses the immediacy of my temptations and needs. Help cannot come too late.

May my prayer be counted as incense before You;
The raising of my hands as the evening offering. – Psalm 141:2 NASB

With a combination of singing, prayer and a posture of raising my hands to give and receive, I express my earnest and expectant thoughts in worship.

For my eyes are toward You, God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless. – Psalm 141 :8 NASB

My eyes are focused only on God, in Him I find my expressions of worship and He does not fail me.

 “In all times, in all places, on all occasions, I will cleave unto the Lord, and put my whole confidence in him.” – Clarke

Father, I love spending time in worship. Thank you for this wonderful gift that connects me with the Holy Spirit.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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Numbers 29; Psalm 73; Isaiah 21; 2 Peter 2

I cannot pass the call for intentional regular focused rest. I know I need rest from my ordinary work and some of that time I need to be crying out to God.

On the first day of the seventh month you are to gather for worship, and no work is to be done. On that day trumpets are to be blown. – Numbers 29:1 GNT

It is so easy to reject this call to rest, almost as easy for those who do not know Jesus to continue to reject Him. They simply cannot let go of making money. The only way they can lose “this god” (money) is to understand that Jesus is all they need for He is with them always, even when money fades. When I experience the right hand of God grabbing a hold of mine and hear His promise to never leave me, I really have no desire for the things of this world. I keep my eyes on  Jesus. He alone is worthy.

Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand. My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need. – Psalm 73:23,26 GNT

If I chose otherwise, I am on the slippery slope to destruction. It is only when I trust in Christ for my salvation that I receive God’s never failing goodness and grace. As I draw closer to Him I have so many testimonies to share of what God has done in my life. I know my times are in His hands and my future in eternity is secured for me in heaven.

When someone speaks about God’s judgement, some are awaken and some mock.

Someone calls to me from Edom, “Sentry, how soon will the night be over? Tell me how soon it will end.” – Isaiah 21:11 GNT

What I see is a door of hope being offered and it is my invitation to pray for mercy.

Father, I thank You for Your Word – it is truth. Keep me under the shadow of Your wing and guide me. I thank You for Jesus, for saving me. Keep me alert to anything that may draw me away from You – give me discernment. It was Your purpose to redeem me, adopt me and keep me from destruction. Help me share this gospel of grace and truth to others who will listen. Thank you for the stories of Noah that encourage me from not thinking too much about myself and keeps me humble enough to trust You completely. Even Lot was grieved for his generation – may my prayers be as his were. May I grieve for the lost. I want you to teach me how to walk this path of righteousness. Thank You for Your promise to rescue me from temptations and the trials that come my way. Protect my heart and my mind from worldly deception. Amen

 Erwin (evanlaar1922)