He is always worthy!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Th 5:18)

God is good! This is not just a statement that is true when we experience good things; it is a statement of the nature of God that remains true, irrespective of our circumstances or feelings. God is always worthy of our praise; again this is not just when we have experienced his blessings: he is worthy irrespective of how we feel, or how much joy or sorrow we have inside.

All of us have experienced one blessing after another from the fullness of his grace, whether we perceive this immediately or not. And even if this were not so, he would not stop being God: faithful, true, holy, righteous, awesome, creator, saviour, loving, compassionate, merciful, gracious, pure, generous, wonderful... Father! Even if he never did another good thing for us (inconceivable!) he would still be worthy of all our praise for all eternity.

It is so important that we learn the secret of praising God in all circumstances. When you have great joy — Praise God! When you have deep sorrow — throw yourselves upon your loving heavenly father and worship him. It's not a case of, worship God anyway, as if it were something we do under compulsion or a sense of duty, or because we know we really should. But the heart of a true worshipper will always turn to the Lord, in the good times and the bad.

We, like everything else in all creation, were made to give glory to God. When we realise this, we see that all that comes our way, not just the good, but the painful and the bitter too, is worked together to draw us closer to God, and prevoke a response of worship from within us. If we stay focused on God, and handle them correctly, even the most bitter experiences can draw us closer to God.

The wonderful thing is that God is our rock: a firm place in times of trouble. No matter how hard the storm rages, before the throne of God there is always peace, security, calm, love, acceptance, and joy. When we worship the Lord, we transcend our circumstances and come to a place that nothing can touch. When we worship, we take our eyes of ourselves, and fix them on him; his radiant beauty floods our souls, and produces yet more worship. This is how we were designed to live, as undauntable worshipers, firmly planted on the rock, always praising him.

If you are having problems entering into worship, or finding something to praise God for — lift your eyes! If you can but catch a glimpse of this mighty God we serve, there is no other response but to worship, and worship, and worship...


Day and night they never stop saying:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Rev 4:8-11)