A conversation about expectation, immediate gratification, and disappointment with Elizabeth Woodson

WORSHIP INVITES US TO BRING OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS TO GOD

It saddens me to think about how much we talk about Michal, David's first wife, without ever addressing the trauma that she endured throughout her life. As the youngest daughter of King Saul, she was often used as the pawn he chose to manipulate to kill David and it is evident that she was influenced by the idolatry her father practiced.

When Michal helped save David's life in 1 Samuel 19, she took a household idol to distract Saul's servants and give David time to escape. However, no one ever slowed down long enough to address the pain she had, the disappointment she was navigating, and the rebellion that had begun to hide in her heart.

It's hard to imagine someone reaching for a household idol today, but it may be more common than we realize.

Today, we are reflecting on some of the themes in Session Two of Selah: Worship Invites You To Repentance.

TODAY WE'RE REFLECTING ON GALATIANS 3:13-14 ESV

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

A WOMAN YOU SHOULD KNOW

Today, Ty and I get to close out this season by featuring one woman who has impacted both of us. Winter Brooke is someone who reminds me to prioritize my time with the Lord on IG so that I don't begin to idolize the algorithm or any desire for popularity. Get connected to her because she is definitely a woman you should know.

MEET ELIZABETH

Elizabeth Woodson is a bible teacher, writer, and speaker, who is passionate about communicating the rich theological truths of Scripture. She loves helping people internalize their faith and connect it practically to everyday life.

Elizabeth has worked as the Institute Classes and Curriculum Director at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas and as the Single Life Coordinator at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dr. Tony Evans. She is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education, a member of the teaching team at Lifeway Women, and the cohost of The Starting Place Podcast.

Today, we are talking to Elizabeth about worshiping in an idolatrous culture, and you can find her books here.

I ASKED ELIZABETH:

• What inspired you to go on your own journey to embrace your life.
• How do we reconcile the ideal lives we have been taught to pursue with God’s ideal for our lives?
• That ideal can turn quickly turn into an idol if we’re not careful, and I was so thankful that you shared incredible insight on the struggle we have with idolatry. How does comfort have the potential to lead us to idolatry? 
• What power does lament have to teach us about ourselves?
• Shifting to your Bible study, what recommendations do you have for the young ministry leader who is struggling to reconcile the vision God has given her with the present place she finds herself?
• Can you speak to our sister who is having a hard time worshiping through her disappointment today? 

SELAH IS OFFICIALLY AVAILABLE!

Selah: A Study of 1 and 2 Samuel is still available for preorder and it is my prayer that, together, we can fall even more deeply in love with the Scriptures. You can purchase it here on Amazon.

The study includes: 

• 6 video sessions (all between 9 and 14 minutes because you have your own questions to pray about and answer),
• 30 guided prayers (all around 7 minutes to help you dive into prayer),
• and 6 weeks of live study with me (and any others who have the opportunity to join us) every Tuesday, beginning this Tuesday, September 26 at 6:30PM PST/9:30 PM EST.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Want to find out what was going on in King David's life when he wrote the psalms He's known for? Grab your download here.