Choosing to Worship
Bible: Psalm 59
Friday, March 13th, yep Friday the 13th, I had the amazing opportunity to go see Rend Collective, in what ended up being one of the final concerts before Minnesota went into quarantine. It was a phenomenal concert and what I didn’t realize in the moment was God was sharing with me the anthem of how I was going to handle our current situation.
At the concert, Rend played a song called, “I Choose to Worship”. They described this song as the heart behind their new album, and how in life we deal with many trials and challenges. How we go into those trials and challenges though is what makes the difference. Rend was choosing to go into these situations by praising and worshipping God.
We’re facing a trial & challenge, unlike really anything we’ve ever experienced. And I don’t know if a month in you’re feeling better about everything or are still filled with anxiety. We have every opportunity to just curl up and feel sorry for ourselves. To be cynical and get mad at people for hoarding. To retreat into our homes and not reach out to friends, families, and neighbors. And honestly, no one would really blame us. But is that what we read in God’s word? Is that the response Jesus would have?
I’ve been reading a Psalm each day and came across Psalm 59. The final two verses of Psalm 59 say this, “But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”
David is the writer of this Psalm and he was writing this on the run as Saul was seeking to kill him. He was removed from friends & family, fearing for his life, depressed, and alone. And yet, in this moment, he chooses to sing. David chooses to worship. AND. THERE. IT. IS. The same choice we are faced with each day, a choice to worship.
I believe our response will make all the difference. God isn’t going to force us to worship Him, He’s not going to make us come to Him with praise, but He promises to be our fortress, to be a steadfast love. And so each morning I’ve begun with Rend’s song “I Choose to Worship”, singing these words, “When the enemy says I’m done I lift my praises. When my world comes crashing down I lift my praises high. Till the darkness turns to dawn I lift my praises. I choose to worship, I choose you now.”
Prayer: Today God I’m choosing you over fear. I’m choosing you over anger. I’m choosing you over pain & sadness. Be my fortress God, I need your steadfast love. Let me see you above my situation. Help me share you with those you’ve brought into my life…
Worship: “I Choose to Worship” - Rend Collective https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG11iiDKY8Y
-Zach