One to Worship

And it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to their divisions), and the Levites who were the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets— indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying:
'For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever,'
that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

~ 2 Chronicles 5:11-14

Whew! Imagine your pastor, on a Sunday morning, unable to finish delivering the message because the glory of the Lord has filled the room. People are singing and weeping. Someone is speaking in tongues. Many are standing, arms raised and swaying. Others are kneeling, radiant faces lifted heavenward. Praise, true awe-inspired worship is happening, and the moment, just as it is, must go on. On one hand, these events took place; on another, I pray they are yet to be. As I read the above passaged and imagined such a scene taking place in our own church, a sense of gratitude flooded my spirit. Gratitude for what, exactly? The fact that it happened once assures me it can happen again. The fact my God is faithful and wants all His people to worship in spirit and truth assures me He can make it happen in people yielded and living expectantly. The fact that He has given us the power and privilege of prayer assures me I can pray to that end.

We were made to worship God. We are, in fact, at our very best when we are worshipping Him. But...

There's that stack of bills again.

This pain in my lower back just will not quit.

Mitchell, did you throw your dinosaur in the toilet again???

Waddya mean my flight is cancelled?

Day after day, the trials and temptations of this world pummel us. We never seem to get ahead, and we are weary. The congregation idles; the air grows stagnant. Offering wanes and wallets are empty. Sin crouches at our door. And we are weary. How are we to worship when there is so much pain and oppression? Were things that much more different, that much easier for God's people back in the day of Solomon and the people of Israel? Of course not, they had their problems --the Old Testament relates one after the other. How did they receive such a blessedness and we, post-cross, post-resurrection languish?

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) That's not some trite saying; that is a command. Because worship changes your perspective. Because God is due all glory and honor no matter the situation. Because simple gratitude takes us to a level of worship that builds greater worship and calls others to join us! Because to give thanks is contagious. Because the historical worship at the temple was many instruments and voices sounding as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord. Because the worship we long to see in our churches, our nation, our world can begin with one voice praising and thanking the Lord in all circumstances. God can bring about revival. He only needs one. 

Be the one.

Midweek: Enduring Word Study Bible, NKJV

Today, I am very excited to bring you Thomas Nelson's NKJV Enduring Word Study Bible. I have used pastor/teacher, David Guzik's Enduring Word online commentary for years. His supporting information and insights are helpful as are the additional quotes and commentary by other great pastors and teachers. Obviously, a single printed volume including Bible text cannot include all the helps found on Enduring Word's online format; but this Bible is a wonderful verse-by-verse study resource. Guzik's thorough but simple commentary is suitable for all understanding, and this edition would make a nice gift for anyone serious about Bible study.

As for the specifics, the free copy I received came in a sturdy printed box. It is bound in black leather with gilded edges. The spine is also stamped in gold. Two permanent satin bookmarks (of different colors) and a presentation page complete the classic look. The text is in a two-column format in 9.5-point Comfort Print®. The words of Jesus are in red. At the bottom of the text are cross-references translator notes. Beneath these are the study notes from Pastor Guzik. 

At the start of each book is an introduction that provides background information and prompts the reader to take note of themes present in the book. Throughout the text are four hundred application notes to help one apply Bible teaching to daily life, and fifty in-depth articles that address important biblical topics and theological questions. Helpful charts include Scriptural references explaining our Identity in Christ, and reading plans for Thirty Days of Getting to Know God and Thirty Days of Getting to Know Jesus. Another chart breaks down books of the Bible into their literary categories. Just a few words about this chart. Its layout is giving Periodic Table of the Elements. However, the books are, for all intents and purposes in order of their placement in the Bible (separated only by Old and New Testaments), and the colored coding system is very difficult to distinguish in print: the light blue has little to no variation from the medium blue, has little to no variation from the dark blue. It's a bit disappointing, to be honest. What I do enjoy is the article Between the Testaments that is located between the Old and New Testaments, of course. This period of four hundred years of history (between Malachi and Matthew) is addressed with little more than a blank page in most Bibles. An article covering the importance of this period is refreshing to see.

Lastly, the back matter includes a concordance with more than two hundred entries and behind this, colorful maps. 

The NKJV Enduring Word Study Bible is currently listed at $99.99, but is available on Amazon for $75.03 or through christianbook.com for $66.99. There are hardcover and Leathersoft™ editions available as well.

The bottom line? If I was a study Bible kinda gal, this would probably be the one. As I mentioned before, Guzik's unvarnished, easy-to-understand commentary is perfect for providing clear explanation while leaving deeper diving or specific application to the reader and his or her submission to the Holy Spirit.

2AM Troubles

Just a couple months ago I was preparing for a trip, a few hours of driving by myself. I've done longer. I've done the same drive with my aging mother and/or children in tow. I've done others while sick and in much worse weather. But. In the middle of the night, hours before I was scheduled to leave, the voice came. "You can't do this." My first reaction was shock at how silly that sounded. My second was to ask, "Are You telling me I shouldn't?" I'm not an alarmist. My mind doesn't immediately think God is trying to protect me from some terrible danger or, likewise, assume the enemy is attempting to keep me from something wonderful along the way. But have I been known to allow things like this to keep me staring at the ceiling for the next several hours? Sure, I've done it. I know the enemy wants to steal the King's glory by derailing and distracting His subjects. Conversely, I know God speaks to our hearts for His glory and our good. But how is one to figure which is which at 2 AM?   

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have wisdom. You might call it discernment. Either way, I'm not talking about that revelation that warns us the person speaking is a fraud or assists us in knowing specifically how to pray for a situation. That's a bit different. This is the wisdom of knowing the Scriptures and having walked with the Lord through flood and fire, through joy and abundance. This is the revelation that comes as we pray and spend time in quiet with the Lord. It is the steps we take at 2 in the afternoon that determine how we navigate the thoughts at 2 AM. It is the place we sit on Sunday morning that determines whether we will lie awake in bed on Tuesday night. It is our intake of God's Word each day that keeps us in peace each night. And it's a process. Gaining wisdom is not a take two aspirin and call me in the morning remedy for confusion. Wisdom increases as we increase our nearness to the One who is Wisdom. You might even say wisdom is improved hearing; hearing the Shepherd's voice, recognizing it as such, and following as He leads. It's not necessarily a weapon forged of logic and determination; we're not rationalizing here --Is Satan trying to rob me of my peace? Is God waking me to pray? Is this the lime tortilla chips I ate before bed? Wisdom comes less from thinking and more from knowing The King. And under no circumstances should it result in discussion with the enemy! 

So, at 2 AM, I didn't throw pillows at the enemy from across the room. I didn't review my resume' of every long-distance drive. I didn't wake my husband, call my daughter, check the forecast, kick the tires, or even take another melatonin. By God's grace, I directed my response to Him; and I believe that made all the difference. Within minutes, I dropped back off to sleep and slept soundly until morning. Something that could have kept me wide-eyed for hours, on a night when I definitely wanted to rest well, was overthrown. Insert victory dance here. (Not for me, mind you, but for the Holy Spirit who is constantly at work in me!) Knowing God and His Word, trusting in His provision for and hand on my life, and directing all questions and concerns to Him and Him alone, is the best remedy for those late night, early morning battles. 

That, and skipping the lime tortilla chips before bed.