Sunday, July 24, 2011
A Symphony of Praise!
Jim Beliasov, Interim Pastor
As I studied Psalm 27 - the words of David reminded me of a symphony - going from one movement to another. But instead of a standard symphony which generally had four movements - I believe this psalm has six movements -
In the Christian life, waiting is not inactivity, doing nothing. Waiting is preparation for the next battle, the next blessing. As we wait, we pray; we meditate on the Word; we worship God. The wise sailor repairs his sails in calm weather, and the wise soldier re-gathers his strength during the lull in the battle. "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).
The ability to calm your soul and wait before God is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life. Our old nature is restless. The world around us is frantically in a hurry. Even some of our Christian friends might suggest that we are "backslidden" because we are not running to every seminar, listening to every visiting speaker, and attending every religious meeting. Years ago, Dr. A. W. Tozer suggested that the church might experience revival if we would cancel all of our meetings and just gather for prayer and worship! (Meet Yourself in the Psalms by W. Wiersbe).
A Symphony of Praise!
Jim Beliasov, Interim Pastor
As I studied Psalm 27 - the words of David reminded me of a symphony - going from one movement to another. But instead of a standard symphony which generally had four movements - I believe this psalm has six movements -
1) Complete trust in God, v v. 1 - 3;
2) Concerned craving for God, v v. 4-5;
3) Consecrated praise to God, v. 6;
4) Concerted prayer for God's presence, v v. 7 - 10;
5) Continual dependence on God, v v. 11 - 13
6) Confident waiting on the Lord, v. 15,
Verse 14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."2) Concerned craving for God, v v. 4-5;
3) Consecrated praise to God, v. 6;
4) Concerted prayer for God's presence, v v. 7 - 10;
5) Continual dependence on God, v v. 11 - 13
6) Confident waiting on the Lord, v. 15,
In the Christian life, waiting is not inactivity, doing nothing. Waiting is preparation for the next battle, the next blessing. As we wait, we pray; we meditate on the Word; we worship God. The wise sailor repairs his sails in calm weather, and the wise soldier re-gathers his strength during the lull in the battle. "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).
The ability to calm your soul and wait before God is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life. Our old nature is restless. The world around us is frantically in a hurry. Even some of our Christian friends might suggest that we are "backslidden" because we are not running to every seminar, listening to every visiting speaker, and attending every religious meeting. Years ago, Dr. A. W. Tozer suggested that the church might experience revival if we would cancel all of our meetings and just gather for prayer and worship! (Meet Yourself in the Psalms by W. Wiersbe).
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