Prepare for Worship (weekend of August 27)

Date
August 27, 2021
Author
Mark Lautenschlager
Category
Personal Worship, Prepare for Worship

Hey Church!

The words of the song “Is He Worthy” have been especially meaningful to me today.

In light of recent events and the hardships that have touched us all to some degree, it has felt to me like the darkness is closing in. “Do you feel the world is broken? We do. Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do.” My heart breaks for the families trying to flee Afghanistan and for the pervasive evil that has swallowed up their country. I am sickened by the wickedness of wealthy politicians, the hypocrisy of cancel culture, the hatred of truth in our media, the beheading, torturing, and bombing of innocent people in the name of an evil god, and all those who call such atrocities “good” and good things “evil.” I wonder more and more often these days, “How can God put up with us for even one more second?!”

Do you feel the world is broken? We do.

Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do.

Man! Do we ever! But then the next two lines give us the reason why we do not lose heart.

But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? We do.

And do you wish that you could see it all made new? We do.

Revelation 21:1-8

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

To prepare our hearts and minds for worship this Sunday, let us remember that vision of our great hope! Make a conscious effort to put away the news media this weekend and to spend that time, instead, dwelling on the glories of our eternal home. Even as we work to be beacons of light around this city that push back against the enveloping darkness, let us be at rest, refusing to become afraid, in full confidence that this broken world will soon give way to an eternal, heavenly city, whose King will put an end to war, wipe away our tears, and rule over us with perfect justice, mercy, and love that will never ever fail.

Revelation 22:20-21

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Your brother,
Ryan

Hey Church!

Songs for Sunday