Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, April 2, 2017

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“And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37–38).

#Staywoke

Instead of waxing eloquent about the depths to which Jesus voluntarily plunged to deliver us from sin and eternal death in the lessons surrounding our theme text, I would like to focus your attention on a seldom seen message. This message is to all upon whom the ends of the world are come. It in no way upstages the perfect sacrifice of Christ, but it is one worthy of our notice.

Let me begin with a few questions? Do you have an ironclad time set aside for personal worship, prayer, Bible study, and meditation each day? How have you prioritized it? Is it before your days begins? What do you do when extreme drowsiness creeps into your personal sanctuary with God? Do you allow it to so unsettle and overcome you that you give up before you receive the blessing God has promised for those who persevere? Did Jacob give up when He struggled with God on Mount Peniel, although wounded? What was Jesus’ response to Peter as he , James, and John succumbed to drowsiness when He called them to watch and pray? What was the outcome of their surrender to drowsiness?

Most of us struggle in this area when we want to worship early in the morning, an almost supernatural drowsiness often seems to overtake us. When the disciples had that experience and gave up, they set themselves up to forsake Jesus in the hour He needed them most. They yielded to the temptation to deny Jesus by word and action rather than standing strong in the face of trial. Jesus, on the other hand, prayed for them. Jesus agonized with His Father as great drops of blood poured forth from His blessed head. “What? Can you not watch in Christ’s presence for one hour?” is the question with which we must all contend?

When many of us are forced to drive long distances during the night, cram for exams that may determine our material success, or even things a bit more noble, we do all we can to persevere. What value or premium do you place upon your appointment with God? Think about it: there are more dangers, spiritual and earthly that we must face than we can even imagine. Every moment of our days are littered with devilish land mines, which could prove our undoing. Please, for the love of God, do not succumb to lethargy in worship. Eternity is near and we have only a few miles to go. Do not give up the fight of faith. God is on your side.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)