Maintaining A Life of Worship

Proper maintenance is an essential part of every successful operation. If worship is the means God has established for communication with His people, and for channeling through them power to meet the needs of the world, what provision has He made for insuring, stabilizing and maintaining the flow of this vital supply? And what is our part in making the operation a success?

We have established the fact that in this matter of worship God is the seeker. He desires to have fellowship with men, and, through them make Himself known to the world in which He has placed them. The means He employed to accomplish this desire was culminated in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit was given to make effective the power released through the work of Christ. We have discussed the function of praise . . . the purpose of the priesthood . . . and the privilege and responsibility each of us has as we come to see these truths.

Once we have accepted God’s way of life as our way of life, we have an obligation to become a part of the operation of His Kingdom upon this earth. We need to keep the channels of communication clear in order to hear what He is saying to us . . . to know what He wants to do through us . . . to act as conductors for the power He has made available.

God desires to establish within every member of His Body a poise of the spirit, out of which can continually ascend the praise and worship which insures coming into His presence, joins His Spirit with our spirits, and permits the flow of His power to a needy world. Understanding and appropriating this life-transforming concept of a continual connection with our Source, affords us the ability to live above circumstances and emotions. No more necessity to strive for victory “under the circumstances” of our lives; nor for remaining a victim of our vacillating human emotions.

Psalm 30:12 capsulizes the principle of “personal relationship” which forms the base from which God chooses to operate: “To this end that my glory may sing praises to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” The words, “not be silent,” might better have been translated, “never be silent.” Right here is our continual communication . . . thanks for ever! Paul states the principle this way in Ephesians 5:20: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Even in the most difficult circumstances of life an attitude of thanksgiving is to be maintained. How can we ever expect to do this?

A MEANS OF MEASURE

To help us see how God wants to work toward establishing this principle in our lives, we are going to make some comparisons. Suppose we wanted a record of the electric potential produced by the human heart — that one which so faithfully pumps blood throughout our bodies day and night. We would probably go to a physician and state our case.

We might say, “Doctor, my heart is giving me trouble. I have pains down my side. Can you tell me what’s wrong and what to do about it?” Most likely he would ask us to get on the examination table and there a nurse would strap on the necessary connections to permit the heart to communicate with the outside world. Most of us are familiar with the electrocardiograph, that little machine which records the actions of the human heart. In a short while out would come a long slip of paper. Its up and down tracings would have definite meaning to those who can translate its ramblings; and diagnosis and prescription would depend upon what is recorded.

For years I had been trying to come up with a means to record spiritual “heart” action. Such a machine to record our spiritual EKG could prove invaluable in charting our progress in the Christian walk. One day I tried taking a look at the progress of the nation of Israel after their release from generations of slavery in Egypt and their movements into God’s Promised Land. I wanted to compare their physical progress to the spiritual journey each of us launches out upon following our release from the slavery of sin, and then during our journey into what God wants for us, as His children. Here is a sketch of one aspect of the Israelites’ experiences after they had moved from the wilderness into the Promised Land.

The Promised Land abounded with beautiful lush plains; but there were always the mountain peaks which had to be scaled, along with the valleys adjoining them. This undulating terrain caused continual problems, and pictures in a measure, the Christian walk.

For instance: Very often when giving a testimony of the victories of the Christian walk, people forget to present the entire topography of their individual trip to the leveled-out plains of the Promised Land. They neglect to relate the drops from the mountain tops into the valleys, and the problems involved in climbing back up the next mountain which stands as a barrier to coming out onto the even terrain of the plains.

Had you ever considered the following type testimony incomplete — or even dishonest? “Oh, the Lord healed me from cancer . . . He saved my wife and daughter . . . and He has blessed me financially beyond my fondest dreams.” This makes the rest of us wonder, “What’s wrong with me, God?” The trouble is that the one giving the testimony forgot to say that after the cancer healing there came a tremendous valley experience containing severe dealings of God. Out of those dealings, the wife and daughter were saved. Then came another valley of dealing before the financial picture changed from almost nothing to bounty.

Do you see that there is no way to get from one mountain peak to the next one except by going down into the valley and then making the climb up that next mountain? That’s the way to the plains! In my own testimony, if I were to paint a true picture there would have to be some deep valleys along with the mountain tops I have been afforded.

USING OUR MEASURE

We are going to use Psalm 30 to give us a word picture of the principle we are working on. King David is again the author and he knew the ups and downs necessary to come out onto the plains — both geographically and spiritually.

Here we have a second graph. It looks startlingly similar to our Promised Land topography, doesn’t it? David traveled this route in Psalm 30 — every believer follows it — for the pathway has been the same since the beginning of God’s attempts to walk with man.

Notice the dotted line. We shall call this line “normal” for lack of a better term. It indicates an indefinable standard or arbitrary line which prevails in every life — with some variations, of course. The little “x” at the starting point is where God found us. Most of us were a bit below standard when He apprehended us. We might have been in some kind of crisis — financial . . . physical . . . most certainly we were in spiritual need. Once we get our feet established in the Christian walk, we find ourselves rejoicing in our salvation. We note this condition in the opening remarks of Psalm 30. Let’s follow the progress and compare it to that of the new believer.

(1) I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
(2) O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

The new believer is coming into worship for the first time. He is experiencing the “lifting power” of fellowship with His Saviour. He has also experienced triumph over his foes. These may have been binding habits that needed breaking — or actual deliverance from demon activity in his life. Most of us experience overt deliverance as we claim our salvation. We are “salvaged” from the foes oppressing us. The new believer has also received physical healing. Very often we are apt to think we have “arrived,” or come into it all after we have received such rich blessings.

(3) O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave; thou hast kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.
(4) Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

He is still climbing up the mountain. He is beginning to sense what it is like to come from the grave and the pit into life! He has passed normal and in his rejoicing he calls upon everyone else to join him in praising God. Can’t you almost hear him saying, “What’s the matter with you people? Look what the Lord has done for me. He saved me . . . lifted me up . . . delivered and healed me. Glory to God! Sing!” And the Lord catches a tinge of spiritual pride starting to creep in. Result? A dealing which I often reverently refer to as “God’s toboggan slide.”

(5) For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

This makes me want to ask, “What are you crying about? I thought you were singing a few moments ago.” But we see this same slide in the life of one of God’s strongest prophets — Jeremiah: “Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord; for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of the evildoers. Cursed be the day wherein I was born” (Jeremiah 20:13–14). Again I want to ask, “Jeremiah, what happened to you? Singing one moment — then wishing you had never been born the next?”

But what believer hasn’t known the tumble from the heights of singing to the low of moaning? It can happen that quickly! After one of my slides, my wife asked, “What’s the matter with you? Are you emotionally unstable?” I nodded and suggested, “You had better take my spiritual EKG.” This is bound to happen somewhere along the journey to the plains.

However, did you notice that God, along with the taste of anger and weeping, sent hope? “But joy cometh in the morning.” Our new Christian, though plunged down below normal, is not so far down that he cannot still look up.

The apostle Paul had his ups and downs, and as a result could advise, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15). When the devil casts a believer down, he doesn’t provide any hope. But when God is dealing with us, He mixes some joy with it. He may send a friend to weep with us. At least, we are able to say from our valley of despond, “God, I don’t like it, but go ahead.”

(6) And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
(7) Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

Here our believer is on top of the mountain again — higher than the first time. We must be honest as we analyze these movements. How many of you have been through a certain dealing and come out on top and thought, now I am ready for anything . . . nothing can ever move me again! Are we headed for more trouble? Yes.

There is a point in most of our lives when we feel, “Lord, by thy favour . . .” Because of a special mountaintop experience, we feel that we are “special” to God. It may not be quite the pride that has previously been dealt with, but a tinge of, “God you are so much better to me than to others. I really appreciate it. You open the Scriptures to me in a more revealing way. I don’t know why others can’t see it my way . . . (or) . . . God, You blessed me by letting me get promoted while others at the plant got laid off . . . I surely do thank You.”

God has a “special” cure for this prevalent malady and it is called, “hiding His face.” When I start saying, “Lord, I shall never be moved . . . I am ready for anything . . .” — watch out! He will give you a chance to see how ready you are. He withdraws the consciousness of His presence. Sometimes this puts us farther down in the valley than we were before we started out with Him. We feel forsaken, even though we know His promise never to leave or forsake us. He is always with us — valley or mountaintop — but it is just that we cannot see Him in the particular circumstances. We cannot feel Him in the darkness. No more goose-bumps. So there we go — down in the valley again.

(8) I cried to thee, O Lord, and unto the Lord I made supplication.
(9) What profit is there in my blood when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare thy truth?
(10) Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.

This is a true heart-cry from one who knows his help is out there somewhere. It is not complete desperation; instead it is complete dependence. Verse 9 affords a smile as we hear him say, “Lord, if You kill me there won’t be anybody to praise You!” Perhaps God smiles at us; even as we do when our children come to us with the snarls and tangles of their little lives. We know it is all going to work out for their best — and that they will soon find it out, too.

Verse 10 brings David’s cry for mercy. Never have I heard a true cry for mercy rejected. It is the longing of the spiritual man who says, “Lord, I see my instability and I am asking You to be my helper. Get me to the place where I won’t need these chastenings anymore. Establish me!” Our next verse brings the answer to that cry.

(11) Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.

God has heard his cry and answered his request for help. Note that he gives God all the credit — “thou hast . . .” Also note that these are all inner changes — not outward circumstances changed. Sackcloth designates a mourning spirit. Gladness is an inner response. The dancing, too, is but an outgrowth of inner changes. He is rejoicing not because he has been delivered from outward conditions, or because of being healed or given special blessings — but because he has found God equal to the problems and adversities of life. God has proven his helper!

God exercises us like this until we are pliable, and can say, along with Paul (Philippians 4:11), “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Our believer is now living in the provision of God. He is up on a plateau above normal. It is the life of continual thanksgiving, praise and expectation. For we learn that the spiritual highs are as dangerous as the spiritual lows. Until we come to this realization, our spiritual EKG will continually range all over the graph of our lives.

While in South America I came across a marvelous object lesson. There was an occasion where I was watching an artisan making vases. I followed him in wonder — working with clay . . . molding them . . . dipping his hands in water . . . and finally putting them into ovens. Some time later, he opened the oven door, pulled out a tray of vases, and began inspecting them. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked, “How do you know when they are thoroughly cooked?”

His reply was, “Whenever you pick up a vase, you give it a little hit on the side. If it is done, it gives forth a certain sound. I say, it sings.”

My next question: “What happens if you go ‘ding’ and it responds ‘clunk’?”

“That’s simple. You just put it back in the oven!”

Do you see the comparison to this procedure and “living on the plateau” which we have designated as the level for which God is training us to be able to enjoy? The mountains and valleys level out onto a plateau; and the plains stretch out inviting us to continue on in the confidence that God is our helper and we are not dependent upon emotion, outward circumstances, or what is happening in the lives of others. Our dependence, is on the Lord.

WE FIND IT WORKS!

Taking another lesson from David, we consider some verses found in Psalm 57. We need to understand David’s situation at this time before we can appreciate his stand. King Saul was in hot pursuit of David. He wanted to kill him. The latter had taken refuge in a cave. We hear him say:

(1) Be merciful unto me, O God . . . in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
(5) Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
(6) They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down; they have digged a pit before me; into the midst whereof they have fallen themselves.
(7) My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.
(8) Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp. I myself will awake early.
(9) I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people; I will sing unto thee among the nations.
(10) For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
(11) Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

First, we notice where David went for help — to his God. He acknowledges his confidence in the God who is over heaven and earth. Then he admits his problem — that his life is in danger, as well as his emotional responses being taxed to their limit. But his cry of victory comes in verse 7, “My heart is fixed . . . my heart is fixed.” Not once does he declare it, but twice! He moves into high praise. He does this consciously and with the will. We hear him saying three times, “I will . . . I will . . . I will.” He has come out of his problem — big as it seems at the moment — into God’s greatness. He is trapped in that cave, quite aware that at the entrance stands men lying in wait for his very life. Yet he can say, “My heart is fixed . . . I will awake early . . . I will praise . . . I will sing.” When the heart is fixed, the emotions and the physical have to bow to it. They are not your captors — you are in command!

None of us arrives at this point of command in one lesson. Remember our two mountain peaks and the two valleys? If you learn these two lessons the first time around, you are on the way to a leveling out that will see you through every experience of life.

What if you aren’t that apt a pupil? Can you graduate to the level of God’s provision? Sorry to say, there is no skipping grades. You can graduate quickly, but you cannot skip grades. Some of us gather many scars before we manage to receive our diplomas.

One day I had a phone call at my office. The local hospital was calling and a voice said, “Your three-year old boy is in emergency. He was struck with a car. You must come right now.” Before I left my desk, I stood and said, “Father, I thank You that nothing touches my life except that You permit it to come. Bless You for Your provision . . . for Your undertaking in this situation. I glorify Your name.” Now I couldn’t have done that a few years ago. My immediate response would have been, “Why this, Lord — to me! Here I am serving You . . . doing the best I can . . . how can You let this happen to my boy?” I have learned the way that everyone learns. We cooperate with God’s principles. They work.

The principle works corporately in the Body of Christ, as well as on an individual basis. At one time Charles Simpson, a fellow pastor, and I were scheduled for a meeting before a group of several thousand people. I was to speak and I found myself pacing the floor — just about as far down as a speaker could be. Ten more minutes and I was to stand before that crowd in behalf of the Lord. My heart was fixed and I intended to “stand” regardless, but something was missing. About that time I looked over in another corner of the wings and there was Charles worshiping and praising. Suddenly he began dancing . . . and the joy of it just overflowed to me. His joy released me in the Holy Spirit!

There is refreshing, as well as release, in worship. Say that I do not feel like making the effort to go to church service or group meeting. The inner man says, “It’s time to go.” My body and soul say, “I just don’t feel up to going out.” But my spirit begins praising . . . worship results . . . and before you know it, physical tiredness disappears, emotional strain leaves, and I find myself on my way.

In speaking of our spiritual resources, Paul says, “He that speaks in another tongue edifies [or builds up] himself” (1 Corinthians 14:4a). Spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically he is given strength. Soon the interaction of spirit upon body and soul becomes second nature. This is the best possible insurance one can take out to guard against mental breakdowns and the need to use tranquilizers in order to get through life.

The morning sacrifice . . . the evening sacrifice . . . and all of them in between constitute the means for “fixing” your heart. When that is accomplished, praise and worship are the normal responses to every situation of life. If David had asked, “Why?” as he stood in that cave instead of putting his trust in his God, he might never have become “the man after God’s own heart.” There is the story of another man who had occasion to keep his eyes on God and his heart “fixed” in a time of seemingly impossible happenings. He was a man of our own generation . . . a minister. One day he found himself facing a raging fire in his home — and his little child was in that house. He stood in the yard with tears running down his face. The neighbors were watching . . . the world was watching. How would this man who had taught God’s truths react to a situation in his own life where human resources were to no avail? Would he storm and berate his God — as many others would have done? Because of the poise of his spirit and the strengthening of his God, he was able to lift his hands in worship and cry out, “God I thank you. I don’t pretend to understand, but I thank You. I know, Lord, that You cannot do me wrong or evil. I know this God by Your character. My heart is fixed. I will give praise.” Like David, if he had ever started asking “Why?” — the needle on his EKG recorder would have gone out of control. There are some situations in this life that are unexplainable. But while living in the provision of God, we can claim victory over all possible circumstances and every condition that can possibly come our way. Don’t ask why — just learn how. This is the level of living that God desires for us. He has made it possible and gives us the opportunity to make it our own. To this end we were created — for His pleasure and to enjoy Him. Where do we get our strength? Through worship. This is His ordained means for supplying our needs. Each experience of worship builds for the future, as well as meeting present needs and enjoyments.

Jesus told His disciples through one of the many parables which He used to illustrate Kingdom principles: Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock (Matthew 7:25).

The rains, the flood, the winds will all beat upon our houses in this life; but that structure can stand. Our safety and protection has been assured. We find comfort and enjoyment in that certainty. We also experience fellowship with our Creator . . . power available for helping others . . . continual balance in managing the physical, the emotional, the financial, and every other area of life. We find that we are the possessors of an EKG that records living in God’s Promised Land of plenty. And worship is the key to entering and enjoying.