Illustration: Worship in Dark Times

In the Sept. 12, 2014, edition of his Turning Point Daily Devotional, David Jeremiah writes: “The 19th-century South African pastor and writer, Andrew Murray, was feeling unwell one day when a woman came seeking his advice about a difficult situation in which she was involved. Unable to see the woman in person, he wrote down a few paragraphs on paper for his housekeeper to give to the woman. The last line he wrote was a summary for her to believe: ‘I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time.’

“In short, Andrew Murray gave his visitor four reasons for worshiping God, including in times of trouble. If we are where we are by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time, what could we possibly have to worry about? Those four points are usually what we think when things are going well, when we really feel like worshiping God. However, if they are true all the time, including when things are hard, why wouldn’t we worship God in those times as well? We agree with Job: ‘Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?’ (Job 2:10).

“We don’t worship God because things are good or otherwise. We worship Him because of His sovereign oversight and care for our life.”