What does it mean to choose a life of worship? 

The moment we made that decision to be a Christian, we have effectively chosen a life of worship. We are no longer living for ourselves or for worldly pleasures, we forsake our own will and offer our lives as a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord – this is our true and proper worship.  

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” 
Romans 12:1 (NIV)

It is always easy to worship the Lord in the good times, when we have everything we want in life and when everything is going seemingly well. My question to you today - can we still do it when the going gets tough? I truly admire how Paul and Silas could still worship even when they were thrown into prison for doing God’s work. As seen in Acts 16, God demonstrated the power of worship and thanksgiving, and as Paul and Silas worshipped, the prison doors flung open and everyone’s chains were loosed.  

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 
Acts 16:25-16 (NKJV)

Paul and Silas had chosen a life of worship. Worship became a part of their lives and being thrown into prison could not stop them from praying and adoring God.

Clovis and I were taken to the test sometime back in June 2019. I was pregnant with our twin girls and while on the way to work one morning, we got into a pretty serious car accident. I could still remember how we were left in a state of shock for quite some time and how our car was wrecked beyond recognition (to the extent the insurance company felt it was not economical to repair the damages). I was particularly worried for our babies in the womb as the airbag had hit me with such great impact. It was miraculous that we were completely unharmed, not even a scratch was on our bodies (and a check-up a couple of days later also revealed that our babies were well and healthy). 

We reached home that afternoon with a pretty heavy heart but we decided to worship the Lord nonetheless and to thank Him for His hand of protection. It was then that a new song “Praise You In The Storm” birth forth. I would like to share with you the chorus of the song:

I will praise You, praise You in the storm
You are with me through the fire when all seems wrong
No matter where I run, no matter where I am 
I know You’re right beside
I will praise You, praise You in the storm

I recalled being simply amazed at how the Lord had protected us and how praising and worshipping Him in spite of the dire situation we were in (we had no idea then on our babies’ health) was the only thing we wanted to do. Only He causes all things, including the seemingly negative ones, to work together for good to those who love Him and to those who are called according to His purpose. 

I would like to encourage everyone and also challenge myself to not let anything, anyone or any circumstance rob us of the joy of worshipping Him and enjoying His presence. 

At the end of the day, the things that we fixate our eyes on now (wealth, career, reputation etc.) would no longer matter when we all get to heaven. We can, however, be sure that one thing will remain till the end of the ages – we will continue to worship our Father.

Would you choose a life of worship both in the good times and bad? I pray for and speak forth freedom from every chain and bondage even as we embrace this life of worship in Jesus’ name.

But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 115:18

God bless you,
Elina Er
Head (Prayer House), The Encounter