Daily Devotional: Impact

My spiritual life is impacted in many ways. I’m impacted by time in the Bible, by time in prayer, by time talking with other brothers and sisters in Christ, and also by time spent in worship. I was recently listening to one of my favorite worship bands, Rend Collective. They have a song called “I Choose to Worship,” part of which goes:

When the enemy says I’m done, I’ll lift my praises.
When my world comes crashing down, I’ll lift my praises.
‘Til the darkness turns to dawn, I’ll lift my praises
I choose to worship, I choose You now.

Worship is a choice. We can’t always choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond. Job is an incredible example of this. In seemingly rapid succession he is told that he has lost his oxen, donkeys, sheep, and camels; essentially a large portion of his wealth. He’s also told his servants were killed and then told that his sons and daughters have all died. I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions that washed over Job.

The first part of Job 1:20 tell us how he responds to the devastating news he’s received, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head…” Tearing one’s clothing and shaving one’s head were cultural gestures of grief and mourning. It’s no surprise that Job is expressing extreme grief, but I have to admit, I find the end of verse 20 somewhat surprising. The verse goes on to say, “…and fell on the ground and worshipped the LORD.”

Job was assaulted by the enemy in a way few could ever imagine. His circumstances were wholly out of his control, but his response was one of trust in God; he chose to worship. This reminds me that no matter what I face, worship is always a choice. We might look at our circumstances and feel we have no reason to worship, but if we place our focus on God, we will find all the reason we need. Our circumstances may at times be terrible, but our God is always good and He is always worthy of worship.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.