Worship and Inner Strength

Jun 22, 04:21 PM

“Strength and glory and in His sanctuary.” Psalm 96:6

Worship is one of the primary vehicles through which we can develop inner strength. It is in the Presence of God that we become strong. “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us and we are His.” (Psalm 100:2-3) Worship ushers people into the Presence of God. It is in the Lord’s Presence that we are healed, we come to know who we are and why we have been created, and the purposes of God are released in us. As individuals worship in the midst of the community of faith they are formed into the people of God and are strengthened for the task before them. Worship moves the heavens, changes the course of nations, transforms people, situations, and communities.

There is a vital need for inner strength in this generation. People are wracked by fear, inner brokenness, and insecurity. This is one of the reasons why there is such a dearth of strong, humble, capable leadership in most all areas of our society, especially the church. So many church leaders, especially pastors, are driven by the need for approval. Our approval comes from God as does our validity, our identity, and our worthiness. It is the strongest who can be the most gentle. When a person has a secure, integrated sense of personal identity he or she possesses inner strength; a person like that is therefore less prone to compensate by a show of outer strength. The one who knows who she is on the inside is less apt to have something to prove. It is the man who is driven by ego who manifests the greatest inner weakness. The one who is fearful on the inside will try to control the things around them; they are easily threatened and often fearful. When we are secure in who we are, we can turn our attention to others – we become givers instead of takers. It is easier for us to let others shine. We can empower others, praise them, and be genuinely glad for their success.

On one occasion David was in trouble and about to lose his authority over the men he commanded. Rather than making some ridiculous display of power or claim to his rightful authority, “David found strength in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6) Worship strengthens us on the inside so that we might properly live out the purposes of God. Paul wrote these words: “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:19) It is through worship that we engage the Spirit of God Most and are strengthened in our inner selves. “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth! He give strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak! (Isaiah 40:28/29)

So, my friends, beloved of the Lord, learn how to worship. Worship the Lord with all your heart, both in your personal time with Him and in the midst of the worshipping community. Draw near to God with faith. Call on Him and He will answer. Learn how to come into His Presence and dwell there. Open the depth of your spirit to the Spirit of the Almighty. Allow God access to the deep things of who you are. Ask God to faithfully and lovingly give you strength in your inner-most being. Sing to Him! Bless His Name! For God is great and greatly to be praised. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10) The Lord be with you always.

That God Might be Glorified Through Us The Purpose of Creation