Worship: Awe, Joy, and Obedience in Daily Life

In the exploration of the concept of worship, a deep dive into the nature of God's grandeur and the human response to it is presented. The discussion begins by acknowledging the vastness of God's power and the sense of wonder that comes from recognizing His scale. This awe-inspiring realization is contrasted with the often mundane and limited human experience, highlighting the importance of maintaining a sense of awe in personal struggles.

The narrative then shifts to the practical application of this awe in daily life, particularly in the context of work. It is suggested that one's vocation can be an act of worship, a place where devotion and God-given abilities converge. The book "Every Good Endeavor" by Tim Keller is recommended for its insights into integrating faith into the workplace. The point is made that while personal devotion is crucial, it should not overshadow the collective experience of worship.

The conversation moves to the biblical figures of Habakkuk and Job, whose stories exemplify the essence of worship amidst unresolved problems and pain. Habakkuk's choice to worship despite impending judgment and suffering is highlighted as a model of true joy, which is described as a condition of the heart rather than a reaction to circumstances. This joy is rooted in a deep trust in God's plan and salvation, even when details are not fully understood.

The discussion then addresses the potential for worship to become routine and lackluster over time, comparing it to a first-class flight that has lost its luster. The challenge is to rekindle the sense of wonder and gratitude that once fueled vibrant worship. The narrative suggests that worship should not be limited to expressions of gratitude for blessings received but should also encompass reverence for God's inherent worthiness.

The concept of worship is further expanded upon by defining it as more than just singing or attending services; it is the expression of a humbling but delightful awe and love in the presence of God. This definition is attributed to the 20th-century author and pastor A.W. Tozer.

The narrative concludes with a call to worship while waiting for God's answers, rather than waiting to worship until after receiving them. It emphasizes that worship is not just an emotional response but an act of obedience and a weapon against the struggles of the world. The transformative power of worship is underscored, with the potential to change perspectives and relationships.

Key Takeaways:

- Worship transcends the act of singing or attending church services; it is a holistic expression of awe, reverence, and love towards God that permeates every aspect of life. This understanding challenges individuals to consider how they express worship in their daily routines and interactions, not just in moments of religious observance. [23:32 <9l0fmp8y31E>]

- The stories of Habakkuk and Job serve as powerful examples of worship that is not contingent on favorable circumstances. Their experiences teach that worship can be a choice made in the midst of suffering, rooted in trust in God's character and plan. This perspective shifts the focus from external conditions to an internal posture of faith and reliance on God. [38:21 <9l0fmp8y31E>]

- The concept of joy in worship is redefined as a steadfast condition of the heart, not merely an emotional state. This joy is characterized by a trembling awe of God's perfection and a deliberate choice to believe in His goodness, regardless of life's challenges. This insight invites a deeper reflection on the nature of joy and its role in worship. [38:54 <9l0fmp8y31E>]

- The danger of worship becoming routine and losing its sense of wonder is a real concern for those who have been in the faith for an extended period. It is important to continually seek a fresh understanding of God's majesty and grace to prevent worship from devolving into mere ritual or obligation. This calls for intentional reflection and re-engagement with the heart of worship. [21:58 <9l0fmp8y31E>]

- Worship is presented as an act of obedience and a spiritual weapon, offering a means to align with God's power and perspective. This view challenges the notion of worship as passive and encourages active engagement with God, especially in the face of life's battles. It underscores the importance of worship in preparing for and facing the challenges of the world. [32:37 <9l0fmp8y31E>]

Bible Reading:
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."

Job 38:4-7 (ESV)
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Observation Questions:
1. In Habakkuk 3:17-19, what circumstances is the writer facing, and how does he choose to respond to these circumstances?
2. What does the writer of Habakkuk declare about God in the midst of hardship?
3. In Job 38:4-7, what is God's response to Job, and what aspects of creation does He highlight to Job?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the declaration of trust in God's salvation and strength in Habakkuk 3:17-19 challenge the common understanding of joy?
2. What does the response of God to Job in Job 38:4-7 reveal about the nature of God's power and wisdom compared to human understanding?
3. Considering the context of Habakkuk's and Job's situations, what can be inferred about the purpose of worship in times of suffering and confusion?

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge or loss you've faced. How can you express trust in God's plan and salvation, as Habakkuk did, in your current situation?
2. Identify a moment from the past week when you felt overwhelmed by a problem or situation. How can you shift your focus to God's grandeur and sovereignty, as illustrated in Job 38, to gain a better perspective?
3. Think of a routine task or part of your job that feels mundane. What is one way you can approach this task this week as an act of worship, acknowledging God's inherent worthiness?
4. Recall a time when you felt joy not because of your circumstances but because of your relationship with God. How can you cultivate this kind of joy more regularly in your life?
5. Worship can become routine over time. What is one specific action you can take this week to rekindle a sense of wonder and gratitude in your worship?

Day 1: Worship Beyond Ritual
Worship is often perceived as a series of religious activities, but its essence lies far deeper. It is a holistic expression of awe, reverence, and love towards God that should permeate every aspect of life. This understanding challenges individuals to consider how they express worship in their daily routines and interactions, not just in moments of religious observance. Worship is not confined to the walls of a church or the lyrics of a hymn; it is found in the way one lives life, treats others, and approaches work. It is the continuous acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and grace in every breath and action.

The integration of worship into daily life transforms mundane tasks into acts of devotion. When one's vocation becomes an act of worship, the workplace is no longer just a place of employment but a field of ministry where God-given abilities are used for His glory. This perspective elevates the significance of every task, no matter how small, as an opportunity to honor God. [23:32]

Bible passage: Romans 12:1-2
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: How can you transform your daily work into an act of worship this week?

Day 2: Worship Amidst Suffering
The stories of Habakkuk and Job serve as powerful examples of worship that is not contingent on favorable circumstances. Their experiences teach that worship can be a choice made in the midst of suffering, rooted in trust in God's character and plan. This perspective shifts the focus from external conditions to an internal posture of faith and reliance on God. Choosing to worship in the face of adversity is a profound declaration of belief in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when the reasons behind life's trials remain a mystery.

This kind of worship is not a denial of pain or difficulty but an affirmation of God's presence and power within those very challenges. It is a courageous act of defiance against despair, proclaiming that hope in God transcends the darkest situations. By worshipping in the midst of trials, believers bear witness to the unshakeable foundation of their faith. [38:21]

Bible passage: Habakkuk 3:17-18
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: In what ways can you choose to worship God today, even in the midst of personal challenges?

Day 3: The Steadfast Joy of Worship
The concept of joy in worship is redefined as a steadfast condition of the heart, not merely an emotional state. This joy is characterized by a trembling awe of God's perfection and a deliberate choice to believe in His goodness, regardless of life's challenges. It invites a deeper reflection on the nature of joy and its role in worship. True joy is found in the recognition of God's unchanging nature and the assurance of His love, which remains constant despite the ebb and flow of life's circumstances.

This joy does not ignore the realities of pain or sorrow but chooses to view them through the lens of God's eternal promises. It is a joy that is deeply rooted in the truth of the Gospel, which provides a reason to rejoice even when the world offers none. It is a joy that sustains and empowers believers to face each day with hope and resilience. [38:54]

Bible passage: 1 Peter 1:8-9
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of joy that is anchored in God's character, independent of your circumstances?

Day 4: Reviving the Wonder of Worship
The danger of worship becoming routine and losing its sense of wonder is a real concern for those who have been in the faith for an extended period. It is important to continually seek a fresh understanding of God's majesty and grace to prevent worship from devolving into mere ritual or obligation. This calls for intentional reflection and re-engagement with the heart of worship. Believers are encouraged to rediscover the awe and gratitude that first drew them to God, to remember the ways He has moved in their lives, and to remain open to new revelations of His character.

Reviving the wonder of worship often requires stepping out of comfort zones and exploring new expressions of praise. It may involve seeking God in nature, serving others in unexpected ways, or simply sitting in silence before Him. The pursuit of a renewed sense of wonder is a journey that rekindles the passion and vitality of one's faith. [21:58]

Bible passage: Psalm 96:9
"Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!"

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to rekindle the sense of wonder in your worship?

Day 5: Worship as Obedience and Warfare
Worship is presented as an act of obedience and a spiritual weapon, offering a means to align with God's power and perspective. This view challenges the notion of worship as passive and encourages active engagement with God, especially in the face of life's battles. Worship as obedience is the deliberate choice to honor God, to submit to His will, and to align one's life with His purposes. As a spiritual weapon, worship has the power to shift atmospheres, to bring peace in the midst of turmoil, and to break the chains of despair.

Engaging in worship as an act of warfare means standing firm in the truth of God's word and His promises, using praise as a declaration of faith against doubt and fear. It is a powerful tool in the believer's arsenal, providing strength and courage to face the challenges of the world. [32:37]

Bible passage: 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
"And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.' And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed."

Reflection: How can you use worship as a spiritual weapon in a current struggle you are facing?

Well, hey, good morning, Menlo Church. So glad that you are with us today. What a cute video. I cannot, however, co-sign on all the theology that was present in that video, but cuteness factor on full.

Welcome to really our elaborate pregame party for the 4th of July and the 49ers' continued Super Bowl run. We're so glad that you made it, right? We really, really look forward to a fun experience together this afternoon.

But actually, why we're here is we are beginning our year by focusing on and thinking about this idea that God has actually built you. He's wired you for wonder. And as we experience God in a bigger sense of who He is, it can help us with whatever we face today.

I want to give a special welcome to all of our Bay Area campuses today in San Mateo, Mountain View, Menlo Park, and Saratoga. We're so glad that you're here, and a special welcome to all of you joining us online from wherever you're joining us from. I think that our time together can help all of us face the challenges, the opportunities, and the obstacles that we will face this week. We love that we get to do this.

Now, this week in particular, we are going to focus on the practice of worship—not just musically and singing, but it includes that too. And we're going to talk about how we thank God for His kindness and His grace throughout our whole lives. And Habakkuk, this Jewish prophet from thousands of years ago that we've been learning from, he models it so well.

Now, I know that for some of you that may ring hollow. You don't feel like worshiping God at all. You're not sure why you should worship God at all. And, you know, the thing is we'll get into all that over the next few minutes together. But I hope by the time we're finished, whether you call yourself a Christian or a person of faith or not, that you see worship in a new light in your life, even just a little bit today.

Now, before we begin, I'm going to pray for us. And if you've never been here before or never heard me speak, I pray kneeling. And the reason that I do that is this expression of worship to God that I want to remind myself and remind all of us together that God calls us to continuously and humbly offer our lives to Him.

So would you pray with me as we begin?

God, thank you so much. Thank you for this unique moment in the midst of our day as we begin our week that we can gather together. And God, there's no participation award for our time together. We really do want to meet with you. We really do want to do more than just show up.

And so, God, would you help us? Would you help us to engage with what it is you want to say to each and every one of us today? It's in Jesus' name. Amen.

So I wonder, what is the last thing that impressed you, like really impressed you? I don't mean faster internet than you expected or better customer service than usual at that place of business. I mean, when was the last time that you had an awe-inspiring moment that you weren't processing, critiquing, or reviewing in your mind?

Think about it for a second. I can think of times since we began at Menlo over the course of the last year that were so special—from beautiful bike rides with friends to perfect nights hanging out in our backyard with friends or maybe even... This is exciting. This is a fun way to start. If you're like, is this stressful for him? No, I love it. It's my absolute favorite thing.

I can think of times in our backyard with friends or even sipping wine in Napa where I have no microphone problems. It's delightful. We live in a pretty special place. And if we're looking for it, we can be impressed if we are willing to be in our lives.

It's been several years now, but I remember the first time in my life that I ever flew first class. Now, I know that for some of you that's hard to hear because there are no times in your life that you don't fly first class. And I just want you to know, like, all of us judge you for that.

But someone used points to get me a plane ticket kind of last minute. I was caring for one of my parents in their kind of later years. And as a part of that, they gave me a first-class upgrade on that ticket. And I had heard about first class. I had seen first class. I had admired first class. But I had never experienced first class.

As a lifelong Southwest customer, honestly, I didn't even really understand how the mechanics of first class worked. Like, it didn't make sense to me. All of a sudden, as I was experiencing first class, it felt like they let us onto the plane before the crew. Before the plane even took off, they were offering us champagne. And I was like, you're not giving this to the crew, right? Like, this is just for us.

It was completely different than anything I had ever expected. And, you know, of course, in the middle of the night, I was like, oh, my God. In the midst of it, I'm trying the entire time to act like I've been there before. You know what I'm talking about? And so inside, every time they're doing something or offering something, you're just like, oh, my gosh, this is amazing. What do I do with this towel, you know?

And you're kind of looking around to see like, oh, this is how I lift the tray table up. It's different. Like, everything is different in first class. I'm sure I did a poor job of kind of not revealing what it was this trip represented for me. And I can tell you that because actually there was someone next to me who at one point looked over somewhere between our meal and dessert and just said, "First time in first class."

And at that moment, I felt seen and annoyed at the same time, if I'm honest with you. The guy had clearly been in first class for a long time. Like, he didn't live there, but he flew there all the time. And the shine had worn off. And it was just another flight for him. He had passed on the champagne. He had passed on the towel. He had passed on the meal. He passed on the cookie. Can you believe it?

See, for him, he was riding in coach. He just happened to be in the front of the plane. And I say all that because I think the longer that we've been followers of Jesus—if you've been a follower of Jesus for a little while—the longer you've been a follower of Jesus, the more likely it can be that our faith moves from a first-class experience to coach in the front of the plane.

See, the wonder of who God is and what He's done for us has faded. And now our worship has gone from overwhelming gratitude to entitled and empty platitudes. We know the routine and the things we're supposed to do, the motions we're supposed to go through. But that's about all it is.

And in our study of Habakkuk, we've been introduced to a prophet of God who longed for justice but had forgotten who the judge was. He had decided that he could offer judgment—judgment to God. And as God revealed just a small portion of the plan to Habakkuk, his eyes were open and he was overwhelmed with worship.

Now, normally, I give you kind of a one-line statement that I hope maybe God will bring to your mind this week, something that you can think about and encapsulate our time together with. And I'll get there. But first, I want to actually give you a framework that may reawaken or, for some of you, wake you up for the very first time to what worship is in your life.

Now, I do want to provide a definition of worship in case you've heard this word, worship, before. You've heard it as a verb. And if you don't normally come to church, for you, you're like, what is worship? Is that like the Christian karaoke thing we do at the top of a service in the bed? Like, I don't totally get it.

And so, let me just give you a definition. It's more than just about the words that we sing. It's more than what we do when we're gathered. As a matter of fact, it's how we live our entire lives if you're a person of faith. As a matter of fact, the 20th-century author wrote this. He's a pastor, A.W. Tozer. He defines it this way:

"Worship is to feel in your heart and express in some appropriate manner a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonishing wonder and overpowering love in the presence of that utmost ancient mystery, that majesty which philosophers called the first cause but which we call our Father which art in heaven."

See, I want to begin showing you the first part of worship. It's the first part of worship outside of Habakkuk. Habakkuk and God have been in this conversation over the last few weeks that we've been studying about how Habakkuk wanted God to show up and meet his expectations within his timeline—something that none of us struggle with.

But, you know, we try to be there for Habakkuk. And we heard a little bit of God's overwhelming response to Habakkuk. I want to show you one more of those because it illustrates something that I want to show you in the book of Job. And it shows us really the first part of worship, which is usually the combination of our honest reflection and God's awesome perfection.

That we can be honest and sincere about what's going on in our life and experience God's awesome perfection at the same time. For a lot of us, especially if you've been a Christian for a while, it's easy to settle for only one of those or even just a small portion of the combination. But God wants an increasing sense and appreciation of both.

Job is a powerful story of God allowing his best servant, Job, to be tempted and tested by the enemy of our soul, Satan. And it's likely the first book that was ever written down in Hebrew Scriptures. Lots of scholarship and commentary has been written about the book of Job. We see Job finally let God know what he thinks about all this testing.

If you want to, go back to Job 31 this week and you can see Job finally tell God how frustrated he is and give God his defense for why he felt like it's time, God, to just give me a break from all of these tests that you are placing in my life. Some of you, that's what you've been doing in your life. You've been letting God know, "God, do you know what I've been going through? Do you know what I've done for you? God, why are you letting these things happen in my life this way?"

For some of you, it's the timelines. Like we talked about last week where you think to yourself, "God, I thought this would be taken care of by now." Or "God, I didn't think this would last this long." And for others of you, it's that you're going through and grieving the loss of something in your life. Maybe you're grieving the loss of a loved one. Or you're grieving the loss of an opportunity. Or you're grieving the end to a season that you didn't see coming.

God wants that honest reflection. Absolutely. But sometimes I think we are so distracted that we don't listen or wait to experience God's awesome perfection. It can be tender and kind. God can just whisper it to you in the quiet of your heart. But it can also be big and bold.

And that's the way that God responds to Job. He gives one of the most powerful responses in all of Scripture. I'm going to give you just a portion—like not even a third—of God's response to Job. And if you aren't somebody that normally listens to or reads a lot of Scripture, it may help you to focus, to close your eyes. Or you can look at the Scriptures on the screen. Or you can awkwardly stare at me. Whatever you'd like.

But this is just a third—not even—of the Lord's response to Job. It says, "And I think at that point you're kind of gulping, right? If you're Job. Make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know. Or who stretched the line upon it? Or what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone?

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb? When I made clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it, and set bars and doors, and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no further, and here shall your proud waves be stayed?'

Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.

Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse, the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this."

Again, just like one small portion of God's response, revealing this awesome perfection of God. Doesn't mean God doesn't want our honest reflection. He does. But He is going to share a sense of how big and how wonderful He is.

And I think sometimes we make God into this comfortable, cozy, small little best friend in our lives that we hope has enough power, but we're not sure. And it turns out He has more power than we could ever possibly imagine or possibly comprehend.

No matter what you do for a living, no matter how much wealth or power you have accumulated, no matter how close your life appears to Pinterest, when we truly come before God, this is who we are talking to. This is the power and scale and wonder of our God.

We spent time in this series exploring the wonder of how big God is and how wonderful the power that He wields is. We have explored the importance of these ideas in the midst of our personal struggles and limitations. But have you sat in this kind of awe with God? Have you wondered?

Habakkuk and Job are both great books that actually are unique because they don't end with like a bow on them. They don't end with a happily ever after. There are unresolved problems. There is pain that remains. And for some of you, that is a gap in your worship.

Whether it is how you sing or how you live, the reason your worship of God is stuck in coach is because you forget how big God is. He was really big a long time ago. And over time, without realizing it, you got bigger and God got smaller.

I have gotten to know a lot of you over the course of the last year, and it has been amazing. And many of you have this really special ability to communicate and to relate to people in very unassuming and kind ways. But then I see you in a different context. I see you in a work context. I see you trying to solve a problem. And I see like this superpower come out of you.

And all of a sudden, your focus and your capacity and your ability is God-given. It is boldness that I see show up in your life. And I think it is really incredible because I think that for a lot of us, it reveals something that is true. That for a lot of us, we bring our best selves to our work.

And so, that is really where we show up. It is really where we give our devotion. It is really where we worship. We can and should actually worship God in and through our vocation, through our job. It is not just singing and music.

And I would just challenge you that for you, if work has always been this area of your life that you have quarantined, that you have set aside, and you have never thought about, "God, how do you want me to show up in this place? How do you want me to integrate what I believe with how I live?"

I would really highly recommend a book called *Every Good Endeavor* by Tim Keller. And this book breaks down the powerful implication of letting God's work into our workplace. And if you have never thought about that intentionally, it is a very, very important thing. It is a very important and powerful principle.

But we can sometimes leave so much in our day-to-day life that there is no room left for our corporate worship together when we gather. And I think there is a core misunderstanding sometimes as to why.

See, we think worship, especially corporate worship, sometimes all we think about is what it takes from us. We think about, "Well, I only have so much to give, and I have got these things coming the rest of the day, and I have got this coming up in the week ahead of me. I just came and all I need is just like, I just need to be a spectator for a minute. I just need to sit back."

And here is the thing about corporate worship. It will take your focus, but not only does corporate worship provide energy if we engage in it together, but pouring our hearts out to God is actually preparation for the work and the week ahead.

See, the way that I think about corporate worship and specifically singing together is that worship is our weapon for a worrying world at war. A lot of us, we head into a week unarmed because we come into a week unworshipped. We have not given God the credit that He has always deserved.

Now, before it gets too weird, let me just remind you or share with you for the first time that you are in a day-to-day struggle, not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, forces of good and forces of evil, even in the unseen realm. And I bet even if you are not a Christian, even if you are not a person of faith, you know that to be true. You feel that to be true.

And worship, it is a weapon to realign our souls together to the true power of God, to the true perspective we need for the week ahead. We want to not just live for Him, but also live with Him and each other no matter what comes our way.

No matter how impressive you are, God is infinitely more. And the awe-inspiring reality for Job, it can still impact us today. That God that spoke to Job through the whirlwind thousands of years ago is the same God that speaks to us today.

Now, my natural instinct—I don't know about you—my natural instinct is to worship God when I get what I want. It's my version of sort of giving God a tip of praise for a good week, for coming through in something I needed Him to. And God loves that worship. He does.

But even just what we've seen here in Job's honest reflection and God's awesome perfection, we know that's not enough. We should be able to worship God for who He is. If God never did anything for you, He deserves worship because He's God.

As a matter of fact, if all we do is worship God for what He does, you have to ask yourself, do you really love God or do you just love the thing He did for you? Do you really want God or do you just want what God can do for you?

Do you know what we call people who love other people only for what they can do for them? We call them users. Are we users of God? Or lovers of God? How we worship, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, often reveals which.

So if your worship begins with this kind of honest reflection and God's awesome perfection, then this final piece that we see in biblical worship through Habakkuk at the very end of this book is that it brings sincere affection.

And hopefully at this point, you know I'm not advocating for kind of a superficial triumphalism or faking it till you make it, but an affection for a God we can trust even when our circumstances are beyond our understanding. That's the kind of worship that God loves to experience and see in us.

It's exactly what we see in Habakkuk. Now he didn't have to keep secret what God had shown him, what God had revealed to him, but he was going to walk out the rest of his life living in this difficult tension and reality of knowing what was coming, of knowing that the ending of the status quo and the deliverance of God for His people and the justice that He would give to those He was praying for was going to carry deep pain.

And he was just waiting for it. Now after all the plans that God had revealed to Habakkuk, it's really a snapshot of sincere affection even in the midst of pain and difficulty when Habakkuk responds this way.

He says, "Now Habakkuk," he's giving this escalating picture of the kind of pain and challenges that would come from least severe to most severe. And your list would probably include other things, right? Although for some of you, grapes and wine might be on your list, right? But for you, it's maybe connected to your work or it's connected to your family or it's connected to key relationships or it's connected to milestones that you were hoping to achieve.

You have a list like this. For Habakkuk, he's listing things that early on they were just inconveniences that would have been inconvenient to think about. But by the end of the list, he's listing things that are so difficult they would have been inconceivable to live without.

And that scale from, you know, things like figs that were just a delicacy or grapes that were a luxury for wine. From there, the rest of the list becomes more and more painful. And some of you, that's the experience you've had with God. When life was inconvenient, you're thinking to yourself, "All right, God, as long as it doesn't get too rough," and it got more difficult.

And for them, he's talking about the tools to cook, to stay warm, to prepare the land. They were all going to be subject to the judgment that God was going to bring. And any of these things by themselves, they would have been possible to be endured. But all of them together would have been insurmountable.

And Habakkuk, having seen the plan, chose worship anyway. He knew that this pain wasn't permanent, that God's plan would deliver Israel. And even though he didn't have the full picture yet, what God was showing Habakkuk that is so important is the same thing that God wants to show you and me, which was that the part of this plan that allowed for this pain was actually so that Jesus, the savior of the world, could come through Israel and save the world, offer salvation to each and every one of us—a rescue mission.

He knew that. See, joy, it's always a choice in our worship. Always. He chooses this word joy very intentionally. And if we look at the word that Habakkuk uses for joy written originally in the language of Hebrew, this word, it carries more than just an emotional state. Joy is a condition of our heart, not our circumstances. It's more than just how I feel. It's what I choose to believe about God.

And this word joy actually gets translated in other places to carry the sense of trembling. It's a joy in light of what we just read God respond to Job with, where we understand the awesome perfection of God in the midst and face of our honest reflections with God.

That's the kind of joy that we get to choose in worship. It's always a choice. It doesn't mean that we're always happy or that everything in our life is going the way we hope that it would, but we trust that God has a plan, even when we don't get the details like Habakkuk or Job did.

There is deep sincerity in Habakkuk's worship. In this short but weighty few lines, it underscores why. See, he acknowledges that God is his salvation, his strength, the provision throughout his life. And I think that's hard for some of us, even as Christians, to submit to.

I wonder, do you need salvation? Like, do you think you need it? Not just from the judgment of a broken world that it deserves and we could all acknowledge, but like you. Do you deserve judgment? Do I deserve judgment? Because if we don't think that we do, then worship just sort of takes a step down, doesn't it?

Do you think God's provision is necessary for you or God's strength in your life? I think that for a lot of us, we kind of think, "God, I'll take care of things on my own. I don't really need your strength." How long are you willing to be in this exhausting spin cycle of self-pursuit and self-improvement all by yourself?

See, if we don't think that our joy comes from God and we don't think that our strength comes from God, then all of a sudden, our worship is lower and lower. Finally, the idea of provision, I think sometimes we think that's for somebody else. For me, I got it. I'm provided for. My bank account shows me every time I look at it. We're good. I don't need God's provision.

But no matter how you think that, whatever you think about your joy, your strength, or your provision, whatever you think about your salvation, everything that you experience, every good and perfect gift in your life, even if you're not a person of faith, is a gift from God. And giving Him credit fuels our worship, even in the midst of difficult days, even in the midst of overwhelming seasons.

See, maybe a long time ago, your experience with God was like first-class travel. You appreciated it. You loved it. You were overwhelmed with gratitude. But it's been a long time since then. You knew you couldn't measure up to God's awesome perfection. And because of that, there was a deep and sincere affection and gratitude for God.

But over time, you feel like you've graduated from your need for the gospel. You needed it to get out of hell, but you don't need it today. The good news of Jesus for your and my salvation is not just for heaven someday. It's for you and me today to experience an abundant life with God, to experience life and relationship with Him and with people that follow Him together.

Maybe for you, you see other people—less mature people maybe, more naive people maybe—who express themselves in worship with passion and enthusiasm because it looks like they need it. But you've been there. You've done that. You have the camp T-shirt.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you have to go get streamers or flags or like we're clearing out some of our seating in different campuses so that we can have like a flag-waving section. I get it. I'm not asking you to throw your hands in the air like you just don't care. But like, do you care? Do you express that to God in worship?

As Presbyterians, sometimes we get this label, the frozen chosen. Have you ever heard of that phrase before? And you know why we get that label? Because that's how we look. You know, we're just like looking out there. We're like, this is it. That's as expressive as we can be sometimes.

And I know that for some of you, you are more cerebral. And worshiping God with your whole person, it can feel intimidating. But I actually think there's a place that gives us an example of what corporate worship can look like where we lean in, even if we don't feel super confident in it.

Now, I'm not a person who dances very often. And I know that's shocking to you. That laughter felt a little unnecessary and personal. But the one place that I usually get talked into dancing, especially by our kids, is at weddings.

See, weddings are these incredible events where regardless of your past dancing experience or your inexperience, you can eventually just blend in. And the weirdest part is people are the people actually standing on the outside of the dance circle, right? Like, people in the middle, you got people that are really good at dancing. You got people that are kind of doing this. Like, you know, you have the full spectrum of dancing people.

And then you have the people just kind of like out or let's be honest, outside of the circle. And they're just standing there. And you're like, that's weird, man. Like, we're all dancing. That's what we're doing here.

And I think worship, it can feel similar in a place where we all experience it together. We're not doing it to perform for the person around us. We're doing it to show God that we really do care, that we really do love Him.

And it doesn't mean that you have to raise your hands in worship, but you could. It doesn't mean you need to raise your voices, but you could. It doesn't mean you have to clap, but you could—to show gratitude to God. Maybe even just like a Holy Spirit sway. Like maybe for you, you've grown up Presbyterian and you think like, God might smite me if I do just this. But just try it. Just try anything, right?

I know that for so many of you, you are so incredibly thoughtful about how you live your lives, about how you really do live in light of who Jesus is and integrate your personal faith into your personal life. It's incredible—our everyday ordinary lives.

But I want us to just acknowledge this really important tension. It's a lot harder to worship God with our lives on Monday if we haven't worshiped Him with God's people on Sunday. And that's not like a shot to be like, keep coming to services. That's not what I'm trying to say. I'm saying like being physically present is not the same thing as worshiping together.

Show up. We’d love to have you. And sing and worship. For some people, services on screens through COVID felt no different from their in-person experience. That's a problem.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm so thankful that we had that option and that we have that option for many. It's their only option. But gathered worship in person is so important. Being able to worship together is more than about what we want or what we feel. Worship is not an act of our emotions. It's an act of our obedience. God's people have been worshiping from the very beginning.

Now, let me tell you, for some of you, you're waiting. You're waiting for a miracle, waiting for circumstances to change, waiting for God to answer a question or a prayer before you worship. But what if we didn't wait to worship, but we worshiped while we waited?

Can I just—maybe you're saying, "God, if you will deliver me from this, if you will show up here, if you will bring healing, then I'll worship you." I just wonder if sometimes God's going, "I'm waiting for you to worship first." That's what God's people have done forever.

Now, one last thing. Just like Job and Habakkuk, the smaller that our view of our problems are, the smaller our view of God becomes. The less bad we think we are, the less we need salvation, the less good we think God is. And all of that fuels our worship.

Jesus did not give you and me medicine for the disease of sin. He brought us back from the death of rebellion against God. The cross didn't just guarantee you and me access to counter-cultural teaching. It secured eternity for us, in undeserving people.

And if we will simply confess our inability to experience that on our own and turn to God for our hope and salvation. Look, I don't know what you're waiting for, but let's worship the God that did that for us. Not just because He did that, but because that's who He is.

Whatever you're waiting for, God says, the weapon I've given you while you wait is worship.

Can I pray for you?

God, I know that for some of us, this is very uncomfortable. For some of us, we think about the obstacles that are in front of us this week, and worshiping you feels like the last thing that's helpful for that problem.

But God, you call us. You call us to lead first with worship in our waiting, and that God, you can change our circumstances, and change our perspective, and change how we relate to you and one another, if we will simply come before you and give you credit for who you are.

We were made to worship, God. Core to what it means to be wired for wonder, God, is that we're wired for worship. So God, as we sing to you, as we respond to who you have revealed yourself to be for thousands upon thousands of years, first to the Jewish people, and then through your Son to the entire world, would you give us a reminder that God, you've not given up on us, that whatever we face today, whatever our emotions are doing, God, help us to lead with obedience that we would worship you for who you are.

It's in Jesus' name. Amen.

1) "Worship is our weapon for a worrying World at War. A lot of us head into a week unarmed because we come into a week un-worshiped." [32:04 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

2) "Being physically present is not the same thing as worshiping together. Worship is not an act of our emotions; it's an act of our obedience." [44:36 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

3) "Joy is a condition of our heart, not our circumstances. It's more than just how I feel; it's what I choose to believe about God." [38:21 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

4) "If all we do is worship God for what he does, you have to ask yourself: do you really love God, or do you just love the thing he did for you?" [34:22 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

5) "The longer you've been a follower of Jesus, the more likely it can be that our faith moves from a first-class experience to coach in the front of the plane." [21:58 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

6) "Worship is to feel in your heart and express in some appropriate manner a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonishing wonder and overpowering love in the presence of God." [23:32 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

7) "The awe-inspiring reality for Job can still impact us today: that God that spoke to Job through the whirlwind thousands of years ago is the same God that speaks to us today." [33:12 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

8) "Every good and perfect gift in your life, even if you're not a person of faith, is a gift from God, and giving him credit fuels our worship even in the midst of difficult days." [40:25 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

9) "Waiting for God to answer a question or a prayer before you worship, but what if we didn't wait to worship but we worshiped while we waited." [45:44 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)

10) "Jesus did not give you and me medicine for the disease of sin; he brought us back from the death of rebellion against God. The cross secured eternity for us in undeserving people." [46:24 <9l0fmp8y31E>] (Download)