When life is challenging, we have a hard time worshipping God. We focus on challenging circumstances and miss the purpose.
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession. [Psalm 135:3-4]
When we worship we lift our eyes to the one who treasures us and cares enough to draw out even greater beauty.
The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. [Psalm 135:6]
Our experience of those who do as they please is not often good. The Lord is motivated by love. His love is so radical he gave up Jesus to buy us back from death, so radical he risks our anger as he works to develop us.
He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of people and animals. [Psalm 135:7-8]
His power ranges from controlling earth’s weather to revoking his gift of life.
Do I trust that this is love when what I am experiencing is the suffering of training?
the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. [Psalm 135:14]
When times are tough, I find it helpful to remember the gifts of love he sends to keep me going, insignificant incidents that bring cheer. Then in worship I focus on the compassionate one who gives hope.