I'm going off line for a spell. So, until I post back up I'll leave you with something worth pondering. The remarkable prayer-chant below is certainly deserving of any time and spiritual energy you can give it.
LORICA OF ST. PATRICK
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation
Saturday, April 10, 2010
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
“Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col.1:10)
Our walk before the Lord requires us to follow these three steps in order to continue growing up in Christ :
1. Our manner of conduct is to be pleasing to the Lord.
Pleasing: Complaisance (a disposition to comply); agreement with or obedience to.
2. Our lives (daily testimony & witness) are to bear fruit in kingdom service.
Fruitful: Fertile; to bear or carry
3. We are to continue to evolve in our thinking as it relates to spiritual matters (see Col.3:2 & Rom.12:2).
Knowledge: Discernment; recognition; perception
This verse tells me that the three areas mentioned above are not options for us to consider if we intend to be faithful to the biblical calling of spiritual maturity. The longer I walk this “holy highway” (Isa.35:8-10) the more I realize just how dangerous it is to deal with the directives from God’s Word as if they were merely options for me to ponder. The downside of such distractive thinking is that exercising our (so called) choices more often than not serves to restrict our growth as believers (Matt.13:19-23). Remaining babes in Christ stands in direct opposition to what the Holy Ghost is working in us to accomplish through the work of sanctification (Eph.4:15 & 2 Peter 3:18).
The process of moving from strength to strength (Ps.84:5-7), and from glory to glory (2 Cor.3:18) is meant to transform us into mighty men and women in the service of our Savior, Christ Jesus. The charge upon our lives is to become kingdom warriors ---- soldiers who are both willing and able to flight for biblical truth under the headship and command of the God-Of-The-Angel-Armies.
Spiritual compromise does not produce conquerors (see Rom.8:37).
“Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col.1:10)
Our walk before the Lord requires us to follow these three steps in order to continue growing up in Christ :
1. Our manner of conduct is to be pleasing to the Lord.
Pleasing: Complaisance (a disposition to comply); agreement with or obedience to.
2. Our lives (daily testimony & witness) are to bear fruit in kingdom service.
Fruitful: Fertile; to bear or carry
3. We are to continue to evolve in our thinking as it relates to spiritual matters (see Col.3:2 & Rom.12:2).
Knowledge: Discernment; recognition; perception
This verse tells me that the three areas mentioned above are not options for us to consider if we intend to be faithful to the biblical calling of spiritual maturity. The longer I walk this “holy highway” (Isa.35:8-10) the more I realize just how dangerous it is to deal with the directives from God’s Word as if they were merely options for me to ponder. The downside of such distractive thinking is that exercising our (so called) choices more often than not serves to restrict our growth as believers (Matt.13:19-23). Remaining babes in Christ stands in direct opposition to what the Holy Ghost is working in us to accomplish through the work of sanctification (Eph.4:15 & 2 Peter 3:18).
The process of moving from strength to strength (Ps.84:5-7), and from glory to glory (2 Cor.3:18) is meant to transform us into mighty men and women in the service of our Savior, Christ Jesus. The charge upon our lives is to become kingdom warriors ---- soldiers who are both willing and able to flight for biblical truth under the headship and command of the God-Of-The-Angel-Armies.
Spiritual compromise does not produce conquerors (see Rom.8:37).
Monday, February 1, 2010
TRAMPLING GOD'S COURTS
You're about to get messed with...
When you read what's to follow you'll likely have one of two responses. You'll either get mad because you think I'm directing some sort of judgement your way. Or, you'll get prideful because you think what I'm saying is meant for someone other than you. Either way -- as I said -- you're about to get messed with. Let's be clear here --- the following words are those of Isaiah. If you have a problem with how they effect you it won't be between you and me. It'll be between you and the Lord.
"When you come before me, whoever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that — all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship (this trampling of my courts / NASB)? "Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings — meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless." (Isa.1:12-17 / The Message Bible)
The prophet is identifing a problem in the church house. Really, there are several problem(s) mentioned. Generally they all have to do with the misfocused energy taking place when believers are gathered together to meet with their God in corporate worship. In it's context, what's being addressed isn't individual sin as such. The target is much broader than that striking directly at the heart of the congregation. This is not a personal afront. Rather, it's a church-wide-confrontation. Too much distraction is taking place at a time when encounting the manifest presence of the Lord is supposed to be the priority.
I'm just mentioning all this so that you'll give some consideration to how it might apply to your local fellowship. Perhaps none of this is a problem in your church. However, if it is, the way to correct it is clearly laid out in these six phrases: Say no to wrong; learn to do good; work for justice; help the down-and-out; stand up for the homeless; and go to bat for the defenseless.
Selah...
You're about to get messed with...
When you read what's to follow you'll likely have one of two responses. You'll either get mad because you think I'm directing some sort of judgement your way. Or, you'll get prideful because you think what I'm saying is meant for someone other than you. Either way -- as I said -- you're about to get messed with. Let's be clear here --- the following words are those of Isaiah. If you have a problem with how they effect you it won't be between you and me. It'll be between you and the Lord.
"When you come before me, whoever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that — all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship (this trampling of my courts / NASB)? "Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings — meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless." (Isa.1:12-17 / The Message Bible)
The prophet is identifing a problem in the church house. Really, there are several problem(s) mentioned. Generally they all have to do with the misfocused energy taking place when believers are gathered together to meet with their God in corporate worship. In it's context, what's being addressed isn't individual sin as such. The target is much broader than that striking directly at the heart of the congregation. This is not a personal afront. Rather, it's a church-wide-confrontation. Too much distraction is taking place at a time when encounting the manifest presence of the Lord is supposed to be the priority.
I'm just mentioning all this so that you'll give some consideration to how it might apply to your local fellowship. Perhaps none of this is a problem in your church. However, if it is, the way to correct it is clearly laid out in these six phrases: Say no to wrong; learn to do good; work for justice; help the down-and-out; stand up for the homeless; and go to bat for the defenseless.
Selah...
Friday, January 1, 2010
CORPORATE BLESSING / CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
“Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
(Jos.3:5)
The blessing of wonder(s) among God’s people in that passage are preceded by the act of consecration first taking place in the lives of God’s people. Such an act of individual responsibility is to be understood (and carried out) in a group context --- according to the text. Joshua is speaking to everyone as a corporate body, instructing them to set themselves apart collectively for holy service and thereby provide a setting in which God can then move in power among all of them. In other words, the “signs and wonders” of the Lord which are pending a release among all the people is to take place once all the people (as a congregation) have responded to the call for collective consecration. Some theologians call this a "corporate anointing".
This same idea is reflected in Ps.22:3 where we’re told that “God is enthroned upon the praises of His people.” The enthroning that is to take place is manifested based on two group-wide responsibilities. First, praises are to be offered up. The praises mentioned here are of a plural nature rather than individual. This is not a me and Jesus interaction --- it's an us and Jesus dynamic. It is our collective praise --- our “one voice” declaration that is said to build God a throne. The second aspect that we’re shown here is that we enthrone Him as a people, not as individuals. It is certainly true that our personal declarations of praise and worship are important. Without an individual testimony at work there can be no corporate gathering of worshipers taking place. That should be clearly understood. However, the specific substance and nature of God’s manifested blessings corporately to His people requires a united offering. This is stated again in Ps.133 where dwelling together in unity is said to create an atmosphere where “the Lord commands the blessing of life forevermore.” The lack of unity in purpose and spirit can restrict or eliminate the very blessing that God wants to impart to His people corporately.
Here’s another Scriptural example found in Isa.65:8, “As the new wind is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it…’." The KJV uses the word “blessing” instead of benefit. Clustering together provides a sort of container into which blessing (new wine) can be imparted. No container(s), no oil (see 2 Kings 4:1-6), no cluster, no blessing.
The New Testament takes the same position:
“And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place (Acts 2:1).” The KJV translation says “in one accord”. In 1 Peter 2:9 we’re told that we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God’s own possession.” Again, this is a collective positioning before God, and before the world to which we have been called out to “show forth the praises unto Him”. We are saved seperately, but we are called out to be united as the people of God.
“The near loss of a perspective of corporate responsibility in favor of the individualism prevalent today has created a major gap between the present and the biblical world.” (Enthroned On Our Praise: An Old Testament Theology Of Worship / Timothy M. Pierce)
Dear saints, let’s cluster up. There is a corporate blessing, and a kingdom anointing waiting for us when we come together in a show of unity, faith, obedience and sacrifice.
"HEAVEN ON EARTH"
"Marching in the spirit of unity, to our community, show His ability
The will of the Lord for His children, is to demonstrate, perpetuate
Be seated in heavenily place
Just like heaven, just like heaven on earth
To be walking in His favor and grace is
Just like heaven, just like heaven on earth"
("Heaven On Earth" / David Binion)
“Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
(Jos.3:5)
The blessing of wonder(s) among God’s people in that passage are preceded by the act of consecration first taking place in the lives of God’s people. Such an act of individual responsibility is to be understood (and carried out) in a group context --- according to the text. Joshua is speaking to everyone as a corporate body, instructing them to set themselves apart collectively for holy service and thereby provide a setting in which God can then move in power among all of them. In other words, the “signs and wonders” of the Lord which are pending a release among all the people is to take place once all the people (as a congregation) have responded to the call for collective consecration. Some theologians call this a "corporate anointing".
This same idea is reflected in Ps.22:3 where we’re told that “God is enthroned upon the praises of His people.” The enthroning that is to take place is manifested based on two group-wide responsibilities. First, praises are to be offered up. The praises mentioned here are of a plural nature rather than individual. This is not a me and Jesus interaction --- it's an us and Jesus dynamic. It is our collective praise --- our “one voice” declaration that is said to build God a throne. The second aspect that we’re shown here is that we enthrone Him as a people, not as individuals. It is certainly true that our personal declarations of praise and worship are important. Without an individual testimony at work there can be no corporate gathering of worshipers taking place. That should be clearly understood. However, the specific substance and nature of God’s manifested blessings corporately to His people requires a united offering. This is stated again in Ps.133 where dwelling together in unity is said to create an atmosphere where “the Lord commands the blessing of life forevermore.” The lack of unity in purpose and spirit can restrict or eliminate the very blessing that God wants to impart to His people corporately.
Here’s another Scriptural example found in Isa.65:8, “As the new wind is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it…’." The KJV uses the word “blessing” instead of benefit. Clustering together provides a sort of container into which blessing (new wine) can be imparted. No container(s), no oil (see 2 Kings 4:1-6), no cluster, no blessing.
The New Testament takes the same position:
“And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place (Acts 2:1).” The KJV translation says “in one accord”. In 1 Peter 2:9 we’re told that we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God’s own possession.” Again, this is a collective positioning before God, and before the world to which we have been called out to “show forth the praises unto Him”. We are saved seperately, but we are called out to be united as the people of God.
“The near loss of a perspective of corporate responsibility in favor of the individualism prevalent today has created a major gap between the present and the biblical world.” (Enthroned On Our Praise: An Old Testament Theology Of Worship / Timothy M. Pierce)
Dear saints, let’s cluster up. There is a corporate blessing, and a kingdom anointing waiting for us when we come together in a show of unity, faith, obedience and sacrifice.
"HEAVEN ON EARTH"
"Marching in the spirit of unity, to our community, show His ability
The will of the Lord for His children, is to demonstrate, perpetuate
Be seated in heavenily place
Just like heaven, just like heaven on earth
To be walking in His favor and grace is
Just like heaven, just like heaven on earth"
("Heaven On Earth" / David Binion)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Pastoral Pondering
(21st Century Worship)
In December of 1994 I was invited to attend the first North American Summit on the Future of Christian Worship. It was conceived and lead by Professor Robert Webber (now deceased). There were around 150 pastors and worship leaders in attendance at that first gathering. It was to have been the first of what would become an annual event. For reasons that I never knew subsequent meetings never happened after those first days of teaching, discussion, and prayer.
Today (10/12/’09), almost 15 years later, I came across a cover letter which was enclosed in a book that was given to all the attendees. It (the letter) had been inside the dust sleeve and I’d never seen it there. The book had just come out and the two authors wanted to gift each of us. They believed that it would perhaps be a good resource for us to have after leaving the gathering. As it turned out they were correct – at least in my case. I have used it as reference material on many occasions over the years.
As I thumbed through it looking for a specific set of comments that I couldn’t recall as clearly as I wanted to, I found myself reading over a section that I’d not read in years. The comments were in a section entitled “Characteristics of Effective Leadership”. What follows are quotes that I had highlighted in the book a few months prior to going into “full time ministry” on staff at Smyrna Assembly in March of ‘95. I think you may find them of interest:
“While we are focusing on leadership for worship, we want to keep in mind that worship is part of the congregation’s Primary Task. The task, as stated earlier, involves (1) reaching out and receiving persons as they are, (2) helping them discover and deepen their relationship to God, (3) nurturing them in the life of faith in Christ, and (4) sending them out to live as disciples.
Your vision: You will lead the congregation in worship (whether through preaching, singing, planning, reading, leading prayers, dancing, or other means) based on the way you see the church in its relationship to the world beyond the church. Your theory or point of view plays a major role in the way you will lead in worship and in the way you will reach out to people in music, word, and sacrament. Your life of prayer, your sense of the faith community’s yearning, your understanding of the setting in which your congregation lives, and your discernment of the role and potential of the congregation to fulfill God’s purpose in that setting.
Your spirituality: Spirituality, or the life of spiritual discipline, has to do with your rootedness in a sense of call and in a vital living out of Christian vocation that goes with your baptism and Christian experience. Effective worship leaders are not simply talented persons; they are sustained by appropriate spiritual disciplines, including prayer, reading and studying Scripture, solitude and reflection, corporate worship, mutual accountability, Holy Communion, and rest. Lively worship requires a living, growing faith in its leaders.
Your collaboration with the team: Worship is best when it is the result of a team effort. As a worship leader, you are providing spiritual leadership through what you do in that context.
Your continuous growth: You can and must be continuously growing in knowledge specific to your role in worship, and in your knowledge of ways to improve the quality of the congregation’s worship.
Yielding to what God asks of us as we come to the twenty-first century will be a costly venture of maturing in leadership for the glory of God. The risen Lord knows the cost and our potential. From the future He calls, “Follow Me.” Change an improvement do call for prayerful steps that welcome the stranger, open the doors, and yield to the rising wind of the Spirit. Your leadership can enable your church to take those steps.”
(From: Contemporary Worship for the 21st Century / Benedict & Miller / Discipleship Resources, 1994)
There's an aphorism which I’ve used for years that I picked up somewhere along the way. It states:
Vision…is where I’m going
Mission…is how I intend to get there
Goal(s)…are points of measurement along the way which help me determine my personal progress
As I read over the comments from the book that I’d marked up years ago I was astounded to see that what caught my attention then has now been so integrated into my life and leadership. Together, all the quotes seemed to read like words of prophecy.
God is so faithful to perform His good and perfect work(s) in us. Looking back from here, it’s clear that the Lord was in fact calling me from the future to “yield to the rising wind of the Spirit”!
This, then, is a testimony of how God has continued to lead me in the path of righteousness for His names sake. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Christ Jesus.
In Him we live, and move, and have our being. And, worship is still being carried on the wind.
W. B.
10/’09
(21st Century Worship)
In December of 1994 I was invited to attend the first North American Summit on the Future of Christian Worship. It was conceived and lead by Professor Robert Webber (now deceased). There were around 150 pastors and worship leaders in attendance at that first gathering. It was to have been the first of what would become an annual event. For reasons that I never knew subsequent meetings never happened after those first days of teaching, discussion, and prayer.
Today (10/12/’09), almost 15 years later, I came across a cover letter which was enclosed in a book that was given to all the attendees. It (the letter) had been inside the dust sleeve and I’d never seen it there. The book had just come out and the two authors wanted to gift each of us. They believed that it would perhaps be a good resource for us to have after leaving the gathering. As it turned out they were correct – at least in my case. I have used it as reference material on many occasions over the years.
As I thumbed through it looking for a specific set of comments that I couldn’t recall as clearly as I wanted to, I found myself reading over a section that I’d not read in years. The comments were in a section entitled “Characteristics of Effective Leadership”. What follows are quotes that I had highlighted in the book a few months prior to going into “full time ministry” on staff at Smyrna Assembly in March of ‘95. I think you may find them of interest:
“While we are focusing on leadership for worship, we want to keep in mind that worship is part of the congregation’s Primary Task. The task, as stated earlier, involves (1) reaching out and receiving persons as they are, (2) helping them discover and deepen their relationship to God, (3) nurturing them in the life of faith in Christ, and (4) sending them out to live as disciples.
Your vision: You will lead the congregation in worship (whether through preaching, singing, planning, reading, leading prayers, dancing, or other means) based on the way you see the church in its relationship to the world beyond the church. Your theory or point of view plays a major role in the way you will lead in worship and in the way you will reach out to people in music, word, and sacrament. Your life of prayer, your sense of the faith community’s yearning, your understanding of the setting in which your congregation lives, and your discernment of the role and potential of the congregation to fulfill God’s purpose in that setting.
Your spirituality: Spirituality, or the life of spiritual discipline, has to do with your rootedness in a sense of call and in a vital living out of Christian vocation that goes with your baptism and Christian experience. Effective worship leaders are not simply talented persons; they are sustained by appropriate spiritual disciplines, including prayer, reading and studying Scripture, solitude and reflection, corporate worship, mutual accountability, Holy Communion, and rest. Lively worship requires a living, growing faith in its leaders.
Your collaboration with the team: Worship is best when it is the result of a team effort. As a worship leader, you are providing spiritual leadership through what you do in that context.
Your continuous growth: You can and must be continuously growing in knowledge specific to your role in worship, and in your knowledge of ways to improve the quality of the congregation’s worship.
Yielding to what God asks of us as we come to the twenty-first century will be a costly venture of maturing in leadership for the glory of God. The risen Lord knows the cost and our potential. From the future He calls, “Follow Me.” Change an improvement do call for prayerful steps that welcome the stranger, open the doors, and yield to the rising wind of the Spirit. Your leadership can enable your church to take those steps.”
(From: Contemporary Worship for the 21st Century / Benedict & Miller / Discipleship Resources, 1994)
There's an aphorism which I’ve used for years that I picked up somewhere along the way. It states:
Vision…is where I’m going
Mission…is how I intend to get there
Goal(s)…are points of measurement along the way which help me determine my personal progress
As I read over the comments from the book that I’d marked up years ago I was astounded to see that what caught my attention then has now been so integrated into my life and leadership. Together, all the quotes seemed to read like words of prophecy.
God is so faithful to perform His good and perfect work(s) in us. Looking back from here, it’s clear that the Lord was in fact calling me from the future to “yield to the rising wind of the Spirit”!
This, then, is a testimony of how God has continued to lead me in the path of righteousness for His names sake. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Christ Jesus.
In Him we live, and move, and have our being. And, worship is still being carried on the wind.
W. B.
10/’09
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A PASTORAL PONDERING
(Environments & Atmospheres)
Worship is a supernaturally powerful thing. It can change circumstances both personally and corporately – internally and externally. It can reshape conditions around us or around the world. It can reach up into the heavens and impact the very universe itself. I could provide you with lots of Biblical grounding for what I’ve just said, but this is a blog, not a dissertation.
Authentic (heart-felt) worship – the kind that engages our spirit by linking us up with the Trinity is powerful beyond measure. Let me try to explain what I mean.
For the purpose of what’s to follow please consider these two “working definitions”:
Environment: The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded.
Atmosphere: The air of a locality.
Environment is personal (or private) / Atmosphere is corporate (or public)
With that in mind, take a few moments to ponder what can happen when worship is offered up based on an example from Scripture.
The text for consideration is Luke 6:12-18. In this passage we are shown how a “Spirit-charged” (personal/private) environment can produce a (corporate/public) atmosphere where God-things can happen.
In verse 12 we’re told that Jesus went off by himself to pray. The word pray is proseuchomai in the Greek. It can be translated as “worship”. It comes from a word that means to move forward, toward, or along side (motion toward, accession to, or nearness at). In other words, the act of prayer which moves us into a deeper intimate relationship with God can be understood as an act of worship. This perspective is essential in order for us to see how dynamic our pray/worship life can be. Look at what happens when we apply this viewpoint to the story in our text.
As Jesus engages himself in prayer/worship (v.12) the “environment” surrounding Him (the condition or circumstances) is changed (charged) by the power & presence of the Holy Ghost. I think this works in the same way that a rechargeable battery is renewed when it’s plugged into its power source. When the link between the source and the containment system is properly connected things began to change dramatically.
With Jesus now energized through a fresh infilling, His internal environment has been altered/altared by the explosive power of the Spirit. The story begins to unfold from there.
In verses 13-16 Jesus comes down from a high place (descending) to where His disciples are gathered.
These 4 verses state that there are more “disciples” present than just the 12 we usually think of. In verse 13 we’re told that Jesus called His disciples to Himself, and from that unidentified group He then chose the 12 as apostles.
NOTE: You can be one of those who follows Jesus, but not be one who He chooses for something specific. That’s the Lords call to make. Our charge is to follow Him obediently and remain faithful to His will and yielded to His guidance. In other words, others may be called out in a way that you aren’t. That does not make them higher, holier, or more important. It does however separate them (based on the Lord’s calling) for some type of service that may not be yours to be actively involved in. Selah…
In verse17 as the Lord descends from where He’s been (alone with the Father) He brings with/in Him an internal “environment” that’s been changed by having been in worship/prayer all night long – alone.
When He gathers His apostles (called out ones) to continue down the mountain slope they are caught up in an “atmosphere” that’s being energized by the “environment” that is self-contained in our Lord. The power of the environmental presence that’s emanating from Christ is impacting those who are closest to Him (see Matt.9:20-22).
They (Jesus & the 12) all come down to a “level place” together. The “environment” that Christ is carrying has engulfed those nearest Him as they have moved along together descending from the mountain. They are then joined by “a great multitude of His disciples” (A congregation / The Message Bible). Note please that this “multitude” consists of “His disciples”. This group is filled with believers that were not part of the group of disciples that the 12 apostles were chosen from who had gone part way up the mountain with Him. That is to say, there are now three distinct groups that we have been introduced to:
1. The disciples up on the mountain side
2. The 12 who were chosen from out of that larger group
3. Another group of disciples (believers/followers) who are gathered at the base of the mountain “on a level place”
{Groups within groups – do you see it? This is a very important kingdom principle}
Now, still in verse 17, another group appears. A “great throng of people from all Judan and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon” show up. The text tells us they are not disciples as such.
Verse 18 states that they have come to “hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.” Scripture shows us no real relational connection to Christ by this group. We only see that they are interested (they’ve come to hear Him) and needy (they want something from Him). Sanctuaries worldwide fill up every Sunday with folks just like these. Selah…
The “environment” that was created around/inside of Christ (through His overnight worship & prayer experience) has overflowed or influenced His disciples up on the mountain; the 12 He’s called out; the larger group of disciples who were waiting for Him (and the others) as they descended down to where the much larger group was gathered and waiting for ministry to take place. The “internal environment” that Christ carried (and then released to those directly linked up with Him in ministry) began to spread out into the area where the “throng of people” had gathered. The “atmosphere” where the multitude was gathered is then energized and Spirit-charged through the outpouring of what Jesus brought down with Him to the level of where those in need were standing, waiting for a miracle
Verse 19 tells us what happened next:
“….power was coming from Him, and healing them all.”
The public atmosphere began to explode spiritually as the needs were being met. The personal environment of prayer/worship enabled this to take place. My God, what a service they had that day!
Now, consider what could happen if we gathered together as a congregation of “needy people” and brought an environment of power, healing and deliverance with us into our services. Instead of coming to receive we’d be coming to give. That’s called servanthood (Luke 22:26&27). That is only possible through personal and private acts of prayer/worship taking place PRIOR to ever coming together as a fellowship corporately. And that's called consecration.
Please seek the Lord as to how this may apply to your life personally. An internal environment of power in the Holy Ghost can create an external atmosphere where the supernatural can take place.
Anticipate His presence and *consecrate yourself to impart it to others.
*Consecration: The setting apart of any person, place, or thing for acts of holy service.
"WHEN WE WORSHIP (We Are Changed)"
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
We will never be the same
When we worship we are changed
When we worship we are changed
Transformed into His image
In His likeness to remain
When we worship we are changed
So let us worship Him
Lift up our hands to Him
Come let us worship Him
Cast all our care on Him
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
Though our trials may remain
When we worship we are changed
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
(Environments & Atmospheres)
Worship is a supernaturally powerful thing. It can change circumstances both personally and corporately – internally and externally. It can reshape conditions around us or around the world. It can reach up into the heavens and impact the very universe itself. I could provide you with lots of Biblical grounding for what I’ve just said, but this is a blog, not a dissertation.
Authentic (heart-felt) worship – the kind that engages our spirit by linking us up with the Trinity is powerful beyond measure. Let me try to explain what I mean.
For the purpose of what’s to follow please consider these two “working definitions”:
Environment: The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded.
Atmosphere: The air of a locality.
Environment is personal (or private) / Atmosphere is corporate (or public)
With that in mind, take a few moments to ponder what can happen when worship is offered up based on an example from Scripture.
The text for consideration is Luke 6:12-18. In this passage we are shown how a “Spirit-charged” (personal/private) environment can produce a (corporate/public) atmosphere where God-things can happen.
In verse 12 we’re told that Jesus went off by himself to pray. The word pray is proseuchomai in the Greek. It can be translated as “worship”. It comes from a word that means to move forward, toward, or along side (motion toward, accession to, or nearness at). In other words, the act of prayer which moves us into a deeper intimate relationship with God can be understood as an act of worship. This perspective is essential in order for us to see how dynamic our pray/worship life can be. Look at what happens when we apply this viewpoint to the story in our text.
As Jesus engages himself in prayer/worship (v.12) the “environment” surrounding Him (the condition or circumstances) is changed (charged) by the power & presence of the Holy Ghost. I think this works in the same way that a rechargeable battery is renewed when it’s plugged into its power source. When the link between the source and the containment system is properly connected things began to change dramatically.
With Jesus now energized through a fresh infilling, His internal environment has been altered/altared by the explosive power of the Spirit. The story begins to unfold from there.
In verses 13-16 Jesus comes down from a high place (descending) to where His disciples are gathered.
These 4 verses state that there are more “disciples” present than just the 12 we usually think of. In verse 13 we’re told that Jesus called His disciples to Himself, and from that unidentified group He then chose the 12 as apostles.
NOTE: You can be one of those who follows Jesus, but not be one who He chooses for something specific. That’s the Lords call to make. Our charge is to follow Him obediently and remain faithful to His will and yielded to His guidance. In other words, others may be called out in a way that you aren’t. That does not make them higher, holier, or more important. It does however separate them (based on the Lord’s calling) for some type of service that may not be yours to be actively involved in. Selah…
In verse17 as the Lord descends from where He’s been (alone with the Father) He brings with/in Him an internal “environment” that’s been changed by having been in worship/prayer all night long – alone.
When He gathers His apostles (called out ones) to continue down the mountain slope they are caught up in an “atmosphere” that’s being energized by the “environment” that is self-contained in our Lord. The power of the environmental presence that’s emanating from Christ is impacting those who are closest to Him (see Matt.9:20-22).
They (Jesus & the 12) all come down to a “level place” together. The “environment” that Christ is carrying has engulfed those nearest Him as they have moved along together descending from the mountain. They are then joined by “a great multitude of His disciples” (A congregation / The Message Bible). Note please that this “multitude” consists of “His disciples”. This group is filled with believers that were not part of the group of disciples that the 12 apostles were chosen from who had gone part way up the mountain with Him. That is to say, there are now three distinct groups that we have been introduced to:
1. The disciples up on the mountain side
2. The 12 who were chosen from out of that larger group
3. Another group of disciples (believers/followers) who are gathered at the base of the mountain “on a level place”
{Groups within groups – do you see it? This is a very important kingdom principle}
Now, still in verse 17, another group appears. A “great throng of people from all Judan and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon” show up. The text tells us they are not disciples as such.
Verse 18 states that they have come to “hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.” Scripture shows us no real relational connection to Christ by this group. We only see that they are interested (they’ve come to hear Him) and needy (they want something from Him). Sanctuaries worldwide fill up every Sunday with folks just like these. Selah…
The “environment” that was created around/inside of Christ (through His overnight worship & prayer experience) has overflowed or influenced His disciples up on the mountain; the 12 He’s called out; the larger group of disciples who were waiting for Him (and the others) as they descended down to where the much larger group was gathered and waiting for ministry to take place. The “internal environment” that Christ carried (and then released to those directly linked up with Him in ministry) began to spread out into the area where the “throng of people” had gathered. The “atmosphere” where the multitude was gathered is then energized and Spirit-charged through the outpouring of what Jesus brought down with Him to the level of where those in need were standing, waiting for a miracle
Verse 19 tells us what happened next:
“….power was coming from Him, and healing them all.”
The public atmosphere began to explode spiritually as the needs were being met. The personal environment of prayer/worship enabled this to take place. My God, what a service they had that day!
Now, consider what could happen if we gathered together as a congregation of “needy people” and brought an environment of power, healing and deliverance with us into our services. Instead of coming to receive we’d be coming to give. That’s called servanthood (Luke 22:26&27). That is only possible through personal and private acts of prayer/worship taking place PRIOR to ever coming together as a fellowship corporately. And that's called consecration.
Please seek the Lord as to how this may apply to your life personally. An internal environment of power in the Holy Ghost can create an external atmosphere where the supernatural can take place.
Anticipate His presence and *consecrate yourself to impart it to others.
*Consecration: The setting apart of any person, place, or thing for acts of holy service.
"WHEN WE WORSHIP (We Are Changed)"
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
We will never be the same
When we worship we are changed
When we worship we are changed
Transformed into His image
In His likeness to remain
When we worship we are changed
So let us worship Him
Lift up our hands to Him
Come let us worship Him
Cast all our care on Him
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
Though our trials may remain
When we worship we are changed
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
Saturday, August 15, 2009
A PASTORAL PONDERING
REPENTANT WORSHIP
(Case Studies)
I’m gonna cut right to the chase. It appears to me that brokenness and contrition are in danger of becoming obsolete practices within the fellowship of the saints. The contemporary church has lost much of its understanding of what it means to repent of sin, turn away from unrighteousness, and pursue an upright relationship with the Lord in holy reverence. There, I’ve said it.
“The fear of (reverence for) the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pro.1:7)
I have no intension of trying to build a case for my reasoning that will convince you that my observation is correct. There’s really little point in such an endeavor. A better course of action (kingdom wise) would be to let God’s Word do the convincing - and convicting.
What follows are three brief case studies I’ve developed which provide Scriptural accounts of what repentance looks like. They serve as an outline for a teaching series of mine focused on repentant worship . Perhaps they will give you incentive for your own self-study. That way you may be better able to see what the Holy Ghost reveals to you in regards to living a lifestyle of repentance (see Rom.12:1 / The Message Bible).
I’ll begin with a couple of “working definition”.
Repentence: To be sorry / To turn back or away from / To return to the starting point / To retreat or backtrack. To think differently / To change or transform / To refashion (metamorphose).
Contrition: To collapse (physically or mentally). From words meaning to crush, crumble or break (into pieces).
Case Study #1: Psalm 51
David: Personal moral failures resulted in David’s acts of repentant worship.
Confrontation (being uncovered)
Confession (verbal acknowledgement of sin)
Conversion (actions that back up the words of confession)
V.1 David’s plea for grace and forgiveness is based on God’s nature
(i.e. His lovingkindness & compassion)
V.2 David is specific regarding his failures acknowledging three areas of accountability:
Transgressions (violation of moral or ethical law)
Iniquity (habitual sin patterns – often with a generational base)
Sin (missing the mark or falling short of God’s righteous standards)
V.3 David “owns” his stuff (he blames no one but himself)
V.4 David sees all the violations as being first and foremost between himself
and God. With that being the case, he throws himself on God’s merciful justice.
Vs.5-9 He begins with a verbal confession
Vs.10-12 His confession flows freely & deeply (open & honest)
Vs.13-14 He speaks forth the end desire of his pleading before the Father (righteous restoration)
Vs.15-17 He shows that he has a deep understanding and intimate
knowledge of who God is and what He can do (faith in action)
Vs.18-19 David sees a clear connection between how he
walks with God and its effect on the fellowship of the saints
as well. He has a corporate heart concerned with favor &
restoration for himself and others.
Corporate Heart: David considers how his own sin can/is having a direct effect on his personal witness (testimony) and also on the lives of those he could/should be able to minister to. Such a perspective as this is becoming rare indeed within the body of Christ.
The key to unlocking restoration and renewal in David’s life is his offering of confession. This story gives us a model of how a personal witness and ministry can be purified through acts of repentant worship.
"LAMENT"
A broken and a contrite heart
O God, You will not despise
Against You only I have sinned
I have fallen once again
I come to You in emptiness
Fill me with Your holiness
Create in me a heart that's clean
Draw me to Your side and then
Restore me with Your steadfast love
Have mercy on my wickedness
O God, I seek Your graciousness
Wash away iniquity
Remove transgression far from me
I come to You in brokenness
Fill with with Your righteousness
(W.Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI)
Case Study #2: Daniel 9
Daniel: Identificational repentance positioned Daniel “in the gap” for the nation of Israel and himself (Ezek.22:30). His worshipful prayers became a force “on earth as is in heaven” to set the stage for breakthrough and deliverance.
{Every act of worship is an act of warfare}
Vs.1&2 Show Daniel to be a man of study and meditation (a theologian)
V.3 He pays a price to connect with his burden
a. Prayer (mystical connection)
b. Supplication (verbal utterance)
c. Fasting (physical expenditure)
d. Sackcloth & Ashes (outward signs of inward brokenness)
Vs.4-19 Daniel takes up his repentant worship for all Israel and pours himself
unreservedly into it. He reminds the Lord of His “compassion and forgiveness" (v.9) and states that the Lord should hear & respond “for Thine own sake” (v.19). He’s more concerned about God’s name and reputation than he is his own or that of the people.
Vs.20-23 Show that the moment Daniel stepped over into such repentant
worship was when God began releasing His captive people (v.23).
This story gives us a model of how someones acts of repentant worship can serve as a means for others to be released and restored to freedom.
Case Study #3: Johan 1&2
Johan: Disobedience to God’s call and direction give us the context for how and why repentant worship took place in Johan’s life.
Vs.1&2 God’s word comes to Jonah with direction for him to carry out, “arise and go to Nineveh”. Jehovah wants to release a call for repentance and restoration to the residents of a city who’s “wickedness has come up” before the Lord (NASB). And, He wants the call for repentance to come forth from a servant entrusted to carry the will of God’s word forth to the people. Jonah has the opportunity (and good fortune) to be chosen of the Lord for this task.
V.3 Jonahs response is to disregard his calling and try to run away from it. By doing so he has placed himself in the position of moving out of God’s will which will in turn bring him to a point where his own wickedness rises up before the Lord. The effect of that will mean that Jonah will find himself in need of repentance as a result of his own spiritual insubordination.
V.4 The storm that the Lord releases is Jonahs “wake up call” meant to (re)awaken him to the reality of what it means to disobey the voice of the Spirit. Note that the storm is not a punishment --- it is an attention getter. This insight can serve as a good perspective for how to look at tough or awkward circumstances in our own lives if/when they come. Trying to rebuke the devil is not aways the best choice to make. Sometimes the “storm” that’s hitting us is in fact God’s way of getting our attention. Selah…
Vs.5-16 You can read the story for yourself. Most of us probably know it well. It sets the stage for Jonah to come to terms with his need for personal repentant worship.
V.17 Note that the “great fish” is not God’s wrathful vengeance on Jonah for his failure to obey God’s direction. It is in fact God’s means of providing deliverance from drowning. Yes, really.
Chapter 2 provides us with a vivid picture of what it means to be broken and contrite before the Lord in confession and repentance.
From within the belly of the fish Jonah begins to worship in a way most profound. He understands very well that he has been delivered from drowning by being swallowed up. What “could” be viewed as going from bad to worse (from being thrown overboard to being swallowed) isn’t how Jonah responds to the situation at all. Rather, he begins to see his current circumstances (in the fishes belly) as a place of sanctuary. It becomes a “holy place” of worship.
Vs.2-6 Jonah prays a most beautiful pray of thanksgiving seemingly trapped within a place with no way out. Even though his predicament could seem hopeless, he nonetheless sees his surroundings as being provision from the Lord as a means of escape from the sea which would have surely taken his life. He purposes to pursue the Presence. The last line of verse 6 clearly shows us that something major has happened to Jonah. He has experienced a “Divine Encounter”! The text says, “but Thou hast brought up my life from the pit (the sea), O Lord my God (NASB).” How powerful!
V.7-9 Gives us the specific text of Jonahs prayers of worship and repentance. His faith and trust has risen up before the Lord “into Thy holy temple” (v.7). He offers his thanksgiving and renews his vow (of obedience) to His Sovereign. Then He acknowledges that his salvation (deliverance) has come from Jehovah.
Note that his prayer is released from within the place of his apparent captivity (the fishes belly). His seeming entrapment has been converted into a sanctuary and his praises unto the Lord arises BEFORE HIS DELIVERANCE (see Isa.54:1 / Rom.8:28 / Phil.4:4-8).
This is a model of how God's plan and purpose can be fulfilled through someones acts of repentant worship for moving in disobedience to a call upon their life.
To refocus, please refer to the “working definitions” for repentance and for contrition.
It’s clear to see that Jonahs story provides us with a testimony of how both those precepts have done their work in a deep and profound way. But, that’s not the end of this story. There are two more chapters to consider.
I’d be doing an injustice to the Word by leaving the rest of the drama out. A comprehensive examination of Jonahs comings and goings requires that the ending be at least mentioned. Please read chapters 3&4.
Jonah did in fact repent and he went on to be the agent of change that God had appointed him to be. By doing so, the entire population of Nineveh received salvation through Jehovahs righteousness acts of lovingkindness (Jonah 3:6-10). However, a turn of events took place thereafter which makes the point of the story even more important to our own lives and times.
After such a glorious and dynamic set of events had taken place (revival) Jonah begins to “flesh out” by becoming quite the malcontent. His grumbling and complaining before the Lord are truly a sad testimony to how our own walk in the spirit can often unravel. By becoming so carnal and self-center after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost over the entire city Jonah exhibits traits of human fallenness which we all still struggle with to this day.
We are called as servants unto our Lord, Christ Jesus. It is our duty (our responsibility) to listen to and obey the Spirits leading in all matters.
In order to maintain the vitality & power of the Presence in our lives God has established the process of restoration for us in our fallen-temporal-condition. This “process” is laid out clearly for us in 1 John 1:6-10 in order to teach us that conviction leads us to confession, and then on to repentance in order that we may be restored, renewed, and re-established in our witness and ministry.
Selah (pause & consider)
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
REPENTANT WORSHIP
(Case Studies)
I’m gonna cut right to the chase. It appears to me that brokenness and contrition are in danger of becoming obsolete practices within the fellowship of the saints. The contemporary church has lost much of its understanding of what it means to repent of sin, turn away from unrighteousness, and pursue an upright relationship with the Lord in holy reverence. There, I’ve said it.
“The fear of (reverence for) the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pro.1:7)
I have no intension of trying to build a case for my reasoning that will convince you that my observation is correct. There’s really little point in such an endeavor. A better course of action (kingdom wise) would be to let God’s Word do the convincing - and convicting.
What follows are three brief case studies I’ve developed which provide Scriptural accounts of what repentance looks like. They serve as an outline for a teaching series of mine focused on repentant worship . Perhaps they will give you incentive for your own self-study. That way you may be better able to see what the Holy Ghost reveals to you in regards to living a lifestyle of repentance (see Rom.12:1 / The Message Bible).
I’ll begin with a couple of “working definition”.
Repentence: To be sorry / To turn back or away from / To return to the starting point / To retreat or backtrack. To think differently / To change or transform / To refashion (metamorphose).
Contrition: To collapse (physically or mentally). From words meaning to crush, crumble or break (into pieces).
Case Study #1: Psalm 51
David: Personal moral failures resulted in David’s acts of repentant worship.
Confrontation (being uncovered)
Confession (verbal acknowledgement of sin)
Conversion (actions that back up the words of confession)
V.1 David’s plea for grace and forgiveness is based on God’s nature
(i.e. His lovingkindness & compassion)
V.2 David is specific regarding his failures acknowledging three areas of accountability:
Transgressions (violation of moral or ethical law)
Iniquity (habitual sin patterns – often with a generational base)
Sin (missing the mark or falling short of God’s righteous standards)
V.3 David “owns” his stuff (he blames no one but himself)
V.4 David sees all the violations as being first and foremost between himself
and God. With that being the case, he throws himself on God’s merciful justice.
Vs.5-9 He begins with a verbal confession
Vs.10-12 His confession flows freely & deeply (open & honest)
Vs.13-14 He speaks forth the end desire of his pleading before the Father (righteous restoration)
Vs.15-17 He shows that he has a deep understanding and intimate
knowledge of who God is and what He can do (faith in action)
Vs.18-19 David sees a clear connection between how he
walks with God and its effect on the fellowship of the saints
as well. He has a corporate heart concerned with favor &
restoration for himself and others.
Corporate Heart: David considers how his own sin can/is having a direct effect on his personal witness (testimony) and also on the lives of those he could/should be able to minister to. Such a perspective as this is becoming rare indeed within the body of Christ.
The key to unlocking restoration and renewal in David’s life is his offering of confession. This story gives us a model of how a personal witness and ministry can be purified through acts of repentant worship.
"LAMENT"
A broken and a contrite heart
O God, You will not despise
Against You only I have sinned
I have fallen once again
I come to You in emptiness
Fill me with Your holiness
Create in me a heart that's clean
Draw me to Your side and then
Restore me with Your steadfast love
Have mercy on my wickedness
O God, I seek Your graciousness
Wash away iniquity
Remove transgression far from me
I come to You in brokenness
Fill with with Your righteousness
(W.Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI)
Case Study #2: Daniel 9
Daniel: Identificational repentance positioned Daniel “in the gap” for the nation of Israel and himself (Ezek.22:30). His worshipful prayers became a force “on earth as is in heaven” to set the stage for breakthrough and deliverance.
{Every act of worship is an act of warfare}
Vs.1&2 Show Daniel to be a man of study and meditation (a theologian)
V.3 He pays a price to connect with his burden
a. Prayer (mystical connection)
b. Supplication (verbal utterance)
c. Fasting (physical expenditure)
d. Sackcloth & Ashes (outward signs of inward brokenness)
Vs.4-19 Daniel takes up his repentant worship for all Israel and pours himself
unreservedly into it. He reminds the Lord of His “compassion and forgiveness" (v.9) and states that the Lord should hear & respond “for Thine own sake” (v.19). He’s more concerned about God’s name and reputation than he is his own or that of the people.
Vs.20-23 Show that the moment Daniel stepped over into such repentant
worship was when God began releasing His captive people (v.23).
This story gives us a model of how someones acts of repentant worship can serve as a means for others to be released and restored to freedom.
Case Study #3: Johan 1&2
Johan: Disobedience to God’s call and direction give us the context for how and why repentant worship took place in Johan’s life.
Vs.1&2 God’s word comes to Jonah with direction for him to carry out, “arise and go to Nineveh”. Jehovah wants to release a call for repentance and restoration to the residents of a city who’s “wickedness has come up” before the Lord (NASB). And, He wants the call for repentance to come forth from a servant entrusted to carry the will of God’s word forth to the people. Jonah has the opportunity (and good fortune) to be chosen of the Lord for this task.
V.3 Jonahs response is to disregard his calling and try to run away from it. By doing so he has placed himself in the position of moving out of God’s will which will in turn bring him to a point where his own wickedness rises up before the Lord. The effect of that will mean that Jonah will find himself in need of repentance as a result of his own spiritual insubordination.
V.4 The storm that the Lord releases is Jonahs “wake up call” meant to (re)awaken him to the reality of what it means to disobey the voice of the Spirit. Note that the storm is not a punishment --- it is an attention getter. This insight can serve as a good perspective for how to look at tough or awkward circumstances in our own lives if/when they come. Trying to rebuke the devil is not aways the best choice to make. Sometimes the “storm” that’s hitting us is in fact God’s way of getting our attention. Selah…
Vs.5-16 You can read the story for yourself. Most of us probably know it well. It sets the stage for Jonah to come to terms with his need for personal repentant worship.
V.17 Note that the “great fish” is not God’s wrathful vengeance on Jonah for his failure to obey God’s direction. It is in fact God’s means of providing deliverance from drowning. Yes, really.
Chapter 2 provides us with a vivid picture of what it means to be broken and contrite before the Lord in confession and repentance.
From within the belly of the fish Jonah begins to worship in a way most profound. He understands very well that he has been delivered from drowning by being swallowed up. What “could” be viewed as going from bad to worse (from being thrown overboard to being swallowed) isn’t how Jonah responds to the situation at all. Rather, he begins to see his current circumstances (in the fishes belly) as a place of sanctuary. It becomes a “holy place” of worship.
Vs.2-6 Jonah prays a most beautiful pray of thanksgiving seemingly trapped within a place with no way out. Even though his predicament could seem hopeless, he nonetheless sees his surroundings as being provision from the Lord as a means of escape from the sea which would have surely taken his life. He purposes to pursue the Presence. The last line of verse 6 clearly shows us that something major has happened to Jonah. He has experienced a “Divine Encounter”! The text says, “but Thou hast brought up my life from the pit (the sea), O Lord my God (NASB).” How powerful!
V.7-9 Gives us the specific text of Jonahs prayers of worship and repentance. His faith and trust has risen up before the Lord “into Thy holy temple” (v.7). He offers his thanksgiving and renews his vow (of obedience) to His Sovereign. Then He acknowledges that his salvation (deliverance) has come from Jehovah.
Note that his prayer is released from within the place of his apparent captivity (the fishes belly). His seeming entrapment has been converted into a sanctuary and his praises unto the Lord arises BEFORE HIS DELIVERANCE (see Isa.54:1 / Rom.8:28 / Phil.4:4-8).
This is a model of how God's plan and purpose can be fulfilled through someones acts of repentant worship for moving in disobedience to a call upon their life.
To refocus, please refer to the “working definitions” for repentance and for contrition.
It’s clear to see that Jonahs story provides us with a testimony of how both those precepts have done their work in a deep and profound way. But, that’s not the end of this story. There are two more chapters to consider.
I’d be doing an injustice to the Word by leaving the rest of the drama out. A comprehensive examination of Jonahs comings and goings requires that the ending be at least mentioned. Please read chapters 3&4.
Jonah did in fact repent and he went on to be the agent of change that God had appointed him to be. By doing so, the entire population of Nineveh received salvation through Jehovahs righteousness acts of lovingkindness (Jonah 3:6-10). However, a turn of events took place thereafter which makes the point of the story even more important to our own lives and times.
After such a glorious and dynamic set of events had taken place (revival) Jonah begins to “flesh out” by becoming quite the malcontent. His grumbling and complaining before the Lord are truly a sad testimony to how our own walk in the spirit can often unravel. By becoming so carnal and self-center after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost over the entire city Jonah exhibits traits of human fallenness which we all still struggle with to this day.
We are called as servants unto our Lord, Christ Jesus. It is our duty (our responsibility) to listen to and obey the Spirits leading in all matters.
In order to maintain the vitality & power of the Presence in our lives God has established the process of restoration for us in our fallen-temporal-condition. This “process” is laid out clearly for us in 1 John 1:6-10 in order to teach us that conviction leads us to confession, and then on to repentance in order that we may be restored, renewed, and re-established in our witness and ministry.
Selah (pause & consider)
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
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