Weeks 25 & 26 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Whether one believes in God or not, there is in each of us a heart of worship. When God is not worshipped, something else takes His place.

There were tens of thousands of worshippers in Glastonbury last week, a Festival that takes place annually in a beautiful location - 900 acres in the Vale of Avalon, Somerset, England. It is an area steeped in symbolism, mythology and religious traditions dating back many hundreds of years. It's where King Arthur may be buried.

The event coincided with the unexpected death of Michael Jackson on 25th June. His last public appearance was to announce a series of 50 sold-out concerts in the Millennium Dome (O2). The news of his death was broadcasted around the world and it was bigger than the election of US President Barack Obama.

At a time of global recession, when there is hardly any good news, people find inspiration and hope in music. Last night musician Jarvis Cocker joined the panel of mostly politicians at David Dimbleby’s Question Time programme. Whilst the politicians were one by one hackled by the audience, the musician’s rather no-brainer answers were warmly applauded. Musicians and their music seem to have greater appeal to people throughout the ages.

Talking about music, Hillsong Church London is one of the fastest growing churches in London and it is not difficult to understand why, although a large part of the growth is church membership transfer. The truth is that even very spiritual Christians enjoy good music and good music seems to enhance worship. Of course we have to be careful about whom we are worshipping.

The one we worship is the Creator of the Universe. He is also the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.' No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another…….As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. [Ps 75:1-10 NIV]

The one we worship is the God of Elisha, through Whom, Elisha performed many miracles. He even made an iron axhead float. “….. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!" The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. [II Ki 6:1-7 NIV]

The one we worship is the God of Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Son came to earth as man some 2000 years ago and died at the hands of men. “…..'You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him---'" [Acts 7:44-53 NIV]

The one we worship is the everlasting God. He is from eternity to eternity. He says “I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind……Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death." [Prov 8:23-36 NIV]

Amen!