Sunday, December 9, 2012

Do You Hear What I Hear?



After a sleepless night of being very carnal and judgmental with my beloved husband, I chose to go to the throne, and worship my Redeemer, who cleanses me of all unrighteousness and sin.  I bowed at the Lord’s feet and repented so I could be forgiven; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9   

I could then hear my radio as if it were suddenly amplified, capturing my attention with this song and I joined in with raised hands and voice!  



 
I must confess that I struggled with my worship a bit at first, still feeling slightly condemned from the previous night and the deluge of other things wrong with me which seem to flood my mind invariably at times when I am trying to focus on the beauty and grace of God.  At times like this, it takes a determined choice to PRESS through those distractions and REFUSE to believe anything but God’s truth that says I’m forgiven and cleansed when I own up to what I’ve done.  I must trust that He throws my sin as far as the East is from the West…how far is that???     It’s as far as forever…it’s forgotten.  In my human filtering and short sightedness, I find that concept difficult to grasp.  I then have to press past the temptation to disbelieve His TRUTH on the matter and let the consciousness of the sin go.  Today, I just chose to be done with that; it’s settled!  I chose to believe that truly I am forgiven and can come to Him as a child, just believing what my Daddy tells me, fully trusting Him.  In that moment, I stated out loud for the benefit of my own ears and any “others” (angelic, demonic, the Lord), which may be listening, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”.  Even though my walk is not yet perfected, the One who is my Judge sees my heart’s desire to be like Christ and that I am trusting He will transform me in His timing.  We can give ourselves and others a break in this because it’s a process, not a magic transformation like a wave of a wand and “poof”…we are completely different in all ways we think, act and talk once we are born again!  

I found myself suddenly flashing back to a dream I had a few days prior but had forgotten until this moment. In this sweet, peaceful dream, I was singing to God in a voice like the angels.  It was the purest sound, flawless, hitting notes which the most talented artist would struggle and envy.  It was pitch perfect and I didn’t want it to end.  Like every dream, however, it did end. 

How does this dream relevantly apply to my worship experience today?  It means that in the ears of our Lord, when we worship Him in spirit and truth, from a place of surrender, pouring out our hearts of adoration to the One worthy of all honor, it is this resonance which is perfection to Him.  Just as any parent cherishes the sound of their precious child singing to them, enjoying it more than listening to the most accomplished star, so does our Daddy God treasure the voice of His dear child who is presenting the sacrifice of praise unto Him.  It’s fruit from our lips.  It’s a sweet savor, a most pleasant aroma, wafting up to His nostrils as if it were a delicious pot roast stewing in the oven.  It’s the fragrance of the lushest garden of jasmine.

As I was entering deeper into my demonstration of love for my Lord, my hands shot up in display of surrender to His HOLINESS and supremacy, yet as a darling toddler reaching for their daddy to pick them up.  Why is this expression so awkward and suppressed in our corporate worship experiences?  We should all be grasping for Daddy just as I witness all of my sweet grandchildren holding their hands high in determination that their daddies (and mommies) will see and answer with a nuzzling cuddle.  Again, we just have to press past the fear of opinion and judgment of others.  Who cares what they think?  They are not our judge; only Daddy is and He will judge this act as lovely and one He desires; “Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship Him. God is a Spirit, and those worshiping Him must worship with spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24.   

What daddy doesn’t want to reach down and embrace their sweetheart of a child who is so longing to be snuggled by their parent?  God inhabits the praise of His people.  Psalm 22:3  He’s right there with you when you adore Him and you get a bonus; His enemies scatter!  Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:2   This posture of worship, peace and rest not only honors Him, but is a blessing beyond measure when you offer this act of worship to your Lord.  You will be blessing the Lord with your adulation of how lovely He is, and in return He blesses you with chasing away enemies such as fear, doubt, sickness, worry, jealousy, and other things which torment our soul and keep us from God’s best for our lives.  Strongholds are broken and our cups run over!  He also reveals more of who He truly is as you enter the throne room of grace and receive that revelation.

Some of my most lovely, life-changing moments have occurred while in worship of my Healer, Deliverer, Shield, Wonderful Counselor, Savior, Protector, Defender, Peace, Shelter, Strong Tower, Strength, Portion, Very Present Help in time of need; the One who overwhelms me with His mercy and goodness even though I don’t deserve it.  Like my dream which I didn’t want to end, likewise are these encounters with my Lord.  I want to stay in the beauty of His presence forever!  I am transformed, renewed, encouraged, and transported to a stature of peace.  How I love Him…

I encourage you to go and pour out yourself before your God.  Do this in your own private time with Him, where no one sees; and do it while in worship at church, where others will see your unashamed abandon of self.  Make the sacrifice to the One who made the greatest sacrifice for you, and watch the Lover of your soul move on your behalf.