December 11, 2013 - "Mary's Worship Song"

I don't know about you, but I love worship. I love lifting my face toward heaven and declaring that I love no other like I love God. But I REALLY love coming together with other believers to worship. Even the most simple of songs can be so powerful. I was doing missionary work in the country of Estonia one spring and our team was visiting one of the 20 churches the lead missionary ministered in weekly. It was a Tuesday afternoon in a wooden hut and it was freezing outside. The house where this small church gathered was plain and tattered, the walls not sealed well. In fact, I could see through the slats in the wall and began to smile as I saw people walking in the snow on that afternoon to hear about Jesus. My eyes filled with tears. But the crocodile tears began as we started to worship because they were singing a tune I knew, "You deserve the glory and the honor. Lord, we lift our hands in worship as we lift your holy name. For you are great, you do miracles so great, there is no one else like you......" Over and over and over. The longer we sang, the more I cried. (as I type I find myself placed in that room and the love of God is flooding everyone even in those difficult circumstances.) It's amazing how people can be facing crazy situations and yet our souls push PAST our fleshly reasoning and we return to the Lord with a song in our heart. Think about Paul and Silas. Have you ever really considered their plight? I know it's early, but were they allowed to be unchained for bathroom privileges? Anyone other than me ever wondered that? When was their last shower or walk around the park? And yet their worship brought freedom in so many ways. Yes? Today I want to offer you another worship situation seated in controversy and yet so pure and free. Mary, the mother of Jesus, a young teenage Jewish woman who surrendered to the will of God at the threat of being stoned. In this period of time, the personal cost could have been great. Her story certainly captures the magnitude of God. God chooses, God draws us into HIS story, and God watches over those who say "yes" to perform His will. God is constantly at work throughout the earth via the Holy Spirit to bring His will to pass. He is simply looking for those who are available. Mary said, "yes." Paul and Silas said, "yes." Abraham said, "yes." How about you and I. Have we said "yes" recently? Saying "yes" doesn't mean we are saying yes to the easy street - often it means quite the opposite. But pure worship is always buried within humility, as I believe no one can truly worship without it. Our lives must reflect the fact that God is our eternal father and that in every circumstance we trust Him. God never promised a life without suffering, but He did promise to help us through those difficult places. Mary was in a difficult situation as the angel announced she would give birth - as a virgin. How will Joseph and her family respond? How will the towns people accept this? I'm certain that she remembered that she could be stoned or exiled. What would her mother say? And yet, her response says it all. But have you ever wondered IF after the angel Gabrielle left and she was alone, were there questions? Did she reconsider? Did her fleshly fear arise? We read no account of any of this, only that she pondered these things in her heart. What we actually read is that she left to be with her cousin Elizabeth and then sang a song that says, "yes." I can almost see that sweet face lifted to heaven with tears streaming as she vocalizes again, "yes." Mary’s Song of Praise 46 Mary said: With all my heart I praise the Lord, 47 and I am glad because of God my Savior. 48 He cares for me, his humble servant. From now on, all people will say God has blessed me. 49 God All-Powerful has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him. 51 The Lord has used his powerful arm to scatter those who are proud. 52 He drags strong rulers from their thrones and puts humble people in places of power. 53 God gives the hungry good things to eat, and sends the rich away with nothing. 54 He helps his servant Israel and is always merciful to his people. 55 The Lord made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his family forever! This song has no fear, only faith. My word of encouragement for each of us today is to sing and rejoice in all the GOOD things God does daily for each of us right in the middle of controversy. The news can declare troubled waters, but our God is faithful! If there are those of you who have been praying about saying "yes" to a situation, I think today is a great day! I say "yes." PK