by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro © 2014
When you are in a hard place or having a difficult time, choose to worship God and let Him meet you in that place. By persevering to worship when it doesn’t seem as if one could, we are reminded of who God is, the height, depth, majesty and infiniteness of His nature, the eternal unending expanse of His love, and the glorious manifesting of His care and power which come into our circumstances and are for us and never against us no matter what this temporal world throws at us.
The manner of worship does not have to be weighty, complicated or fancy. God cares nothing for that. He is about the heart. He is always about the heart. Simple worship in difficult and even desperate times is an expression of faith. It is an outworking of trusting in Him with our whole heart and leaning not on our own understanding. It is a commitment to follow Him wherever He leads knowing only He will make our paths straight.
And isn’t this what our Lord asks of us? When we choose to trust our invisible, almighty, all-knowing, all-good God in spite of contrary thoughts running rampant in our minds, when we choose to rely on God by determined self-will when all seems wrong and nothing seems right, we are demonstrating we have the “fear of the Lord”, which He requests from us in order to be in right relationship with Him.
Choosing to worship in the storm means we are choosing to believe He is who He says and will do what He has promised when there is as yet no visible, tangible evidence. It shows we know He is most powerful and still in control when everything seems to be falling apart. Worship when the waves are high and it seems certain we will go under and never rise again is a sacrifice of praise the Lord meets with the kiss of His power released in ways beyond anything we could anticipate into the circumstances which have been weighing us down. And by it, He will cause us to walk on top of the waves because by worship our eyes are kept necessarily on Him (unlike Peter who looked down).
You may not be able to tell how great His power is within you enabling and sustaining until the crisis has passed, but He is there–ever faithful–to help those who look to Him to get through the difficulties in this hard life which will be.
What do I mean by “worship”? Contemplate His majesty. Bring to mind the many names by which He is called for in each one is a beautiful aspect of who He is. Extol Him for His promises such as that He will meet our needs. Thank Him for what He has done–remembering and listing it out–and expressing our gratitude now before the prayer we have uttered is answered for what we know He will do because He has promised He will get us through until that day when He personally calls us out of this hard life and takes us home.
Until then we worship on earth as in heaven, worshiping in song when we can, for angels, elders, living creatures and those who have gone before are singing forth their adoration of our Lord ongoing in heaven, just as our Lord sings over us. But in the absence of song, the singing of our hearts adoring Him in thought, word and deed honors Him as well.
When we make this difficult choice to worship in the hard places, our Lord is honored and glorified more than almost any other way, for it takes a conscious choice to believe He is who He says in order to do this. It is “Walk On Water” worship for our choice to have faith and trust in what we can neither see nor prove causes our eyes to stay on Him and He blesses us by ensuring we do not drown. We do not pretend we understand. But we acknowledge that through it all, He remains unchanging God. As a result of our choice to let Him be who He is, He draws near and answers, strengthens us and uses all, all, all, all, all things for good in light of His eternal, all-good, rescuing plan.
Selah! (Pause and calmly think of that!)
Below are lyrics to several worship songs I have recorded which are for use when you are trying to keep your eyes on Him in life’s storms so indeed He by your worship He can enable you to walk on water.
Walk on Water
by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro © 2007, recorded on the WALK ON WATER CD
1 The way, the Truth and the Life the only Light in a darkened world. Word made flesh and crucified. Yes, that is who You are.
2 Redeemer, Savior, Lamb of God, the only perfect Sacrifice. Merciful Father, Spirit of Truth. Yes, that is who You are.
Chorus: Walk on water, straight into You arms, You will keep me safe no matter what the storm. Walk on water, eyes on Your gaze. I will trust in You for who You are.
3 Peace, peace, when waves come, when storms roar, when mountains fall down. Peace, peace, you reign in my heart, in I AM I rest secure.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Ps. 46:1-2)
Lion and Lamb
by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro © 2009, recorded on the RESTORE CD
1 Lamb of God, You have won. Lion of Judah, You reign. All You have said, You have done. We rejoice.
Chorus: Lion of Judah, Lion of Judah. Lamb of God, Lamb of God. King of heaven, our Redeemer. You reign; You reign.
2 Lion of Judah on the throne. Lamb of God, You were slain. Every battle You have won. We rejoice.
Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob. He displays his glory in Israel. (Isa. 44:23)
NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold. This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time. http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes.
Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation which provides spiritual support & encouragement to military and military families as well as those in physical and emotional battles (such as cancer, long-term illness) as well as those grieving a loss. For information email elizabeth@eaglesnestfoundation.org or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Ps. 46:1-2)
NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold. This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time. http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes.
Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation which provides spiritual support & encouragement to military and military families as well as those in physical and emotional battles (such as cancer, long-term illness) as well as those grieving a loss. For information email elizabeth@eaglesnestfoundation.org or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org
You’re right about praise. Few things seem to restore my sense of peace quite like praising God not only despite the storm, but because He sent it to help me grow closer to Him.
Yes, agreed! Thank you for sharing! The growth in the storm always reminds me of John 15 and how He promises to prune us when we are fruitful becauae we are attached to Him the Vine so we can be more fruitful. God bless you and keep praising our Lord!