This weekend I led worship for one of my churches, and their current sermon series is from the book of Job. About a week ago, God guided me to choose music that, turns out, matched perfectly with a portion of Job that was the focus for the day. After everything that has been happening in our country this week, I found that once again, God knew what I (and hopefully others who were there or following online) needed to hear. So I thought it may be helpful to you, too, if you are reading this.
For those who may not be familiar with the book of Job, it begins with a series of catastrophes happening around Job, because God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith. Through a series of attacks by enemies and natural disasters, Job lost all his possessions, and all 10 of his children were killed. What was his immediate response?
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
Job 1:20
The tearing of his robe and shaving of his head could be interpreted as signs of grief, but in those days they were typical signs of repentance. But the next thing he did was not to complain to God, or ask God why He would let these things happen; instead, he worshipped God!
So if you’re suffering, or just disheartened, by circumstances in your life or in the world around you, I would encourage you to worship God. It’s a great way to remember that God is bigger than any circumstance, and nothing happens that He is not aware of. We may not understand why He lets certain things happen, but we ought to trust Him nonetheless. That’s really the message of the rest of the book of Job, by the way.
I’ll leave you with some lyrics from a couple of the songs we sang in worship this morning. If you’re looking for a starting place to worship God, I’d recommend listening to them, and maybe even singing along!
Blessed by Your Name when the sun’s shining down on me; when the world’s ‘all as it should be’, blessed be Your Name.
Blessed be Your Name on the road marked with suffering; when there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your Name.
Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say blessed be the Name of the Lord.
Blessed Be Your Name, by Matt Redman
I count on one thing: the same God that never fails will not fail me now, You won’t fail me now.
In the waiting, the same God who’s never late is working all things out, You’re working all things out.
Yes I will lift You high in the lowest valley. Yes I will bless Your name
Yes I will sing for joy when my heart is heavy.
I choose to praise – to glorify, glorify the Name of all Names that nothing can stand against.
Yes I Will, by Vertical Worship
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