Hebrews 11:21 records, "By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff." (KJV).
In the most difficult seasons of our lives we must learn to lean on God and worship Him. The most beautiful praise is not necessarily found in a pristine chapel singing hymns.
True worship is found in the woman, the sinner, coming into a religious meeting for men only. Men who despised her, even used her to boost their own religious understanding of what was holy. Obviously she was not. How dare she enter this place! She broke an alabaster box of costly perfume and wept at his feet. How wonderful did the fragrance of her worship move the heart of God! So much so she become a memorial for all time of a broken woman who came to anoint Christ in preparation of His burial.
When we push past the pain, fear and uncertainties of life and whisper to Jesus a soft thank you - it will seem if all the music and rejoicing in heaven is silenced - when praise flows through a broken vessel. The sweetness of it sends shudders of terror through hell. Someone has stood to their feet to worship rather than give way to self-pity or despair!
It's the man who strayed from the Lord, whose heart became cold and callous to the things of God. Then one day he falls to his knees and worships the Lord shortly after being diagnosis with a disease that could claim his life. His immune system may be failing, but he returns to the Lord, now leaning on His beloved, coming out of a desert, to truly be His alone. In worship, he leans to bless God for His promise in Psalms 107:17-20.
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (NIV)
When we learn to worship in the darkest moments, God enters our valley of the shadow of death to light our way. He brings healing to our feverish minds and calms our racing thoughts of dread to bring peace. He feeds our famished souls with a good word.
It's moments like these that we discover a beautiful and profound secret. We ravish the heart of God with just a single glance of our eye and He's captivated by us!
Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. (Song of Solomon 4:9, KJV).
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