envelop spinner search close plus arrow-right arrow-left facebook twitter

A Lifestyle of Worship

by Hank Dmochowski on October 08, 2019

A Lifestyle of Worship
 by Hank Dmochowski

 

Let me paint a picture for you:

Two friends exorcised a demon from a woman, and instead of being thanked, they were thrown in prison. This prison was not located in the U.S. of A. It was in a country with a legal system (and prison system) very different from ours. They were not presumed innocent – someone made an accusation and they were brutally whipped and thrown in a cell. Later, they were thrown into the inner prison, which had no light, heat, or fresh air. It was foul, rodent infested, and there certainly was no weight room, TV, or library.

How do you suppose these two friends responded? How would you respond to such dire, unfair circumstances?

The natural reaction would be to curse their tormentors, to complain and bewail their misfortune – but that isn’t what they did.

Their Response

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
- Acts 16:25

Our story comes from the Bible, and our two friends are Paul and Silas, missionaries who refused to despair. Even in the midst of a trying circumstance and an uncertain future, they chose to offer praise and thanksgiving to God.

They chose to take their eyes off of their situation and onto God.

The Beautiful Exchange

This is what thanksgiving and praise does. It trades the ups and downs of our circumstances for the wonderful constancy of God. It gives us perspective, lifts our souls above the trial, and invites the presence of God into our lives.

In our story, God responded powerfully:

And suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
- Acts 16:25

Three things happened:

1. An earthquake – God’s power was released.

2. Doors opened – Opportunity arose where before there was none.

3. Chains broke – Freedom came.

Don’t you want these things in your life? We are not always going to receive immediate deliverance from our tough situations, but if you develop a lifestyle of worship, of choosing to thank and praise God at all times, then God’s power will be released and you will find spiritual opportunity and freedom.

When we don’t stop and worship God during hard times, we keep our eyes on the problem instead of on the One who can solve it.

Worship God at All Times

Worship is not just singing songs, it is an attitude of the heart, a choice, and a lifestyle. In the Psalms, David constantly speaks to his own soul, rousing himself to remember the truth, promises, and mighty works of God!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
- Psalm 103:1

This isn’t just for Sundays or for hard times or for celebration – it’s a daily practice and attitude. Worship the Lord when you wash the dishes, when you go to work, when you take your rest at the end of the day.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
- Psalm 34:1

From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.
- Psalm 113:3

Let the godly ones exult in glory, let them sing for joy on their beds.
- Psalm 149:5

Worship is a verb, and it needs to be done daily.

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite scriptures (and one that has changed my life) is Psalm 22:3, which says:

Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned [or inhabit, or make Your home] upon the praises of Israel.

We are to build a throne of worship for the King to sit on, and when the King is present, the Kingdom and all its goodness is there as well.

Put another way, scripture gives us the road map to the presence of God:

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
- Psalm 100:4

I want the presence of God in my life. If you do, too, then it is necessary to cultivate a lifestyle of thanksgiving and praise to God.