Longing for the One Worthy
There are certain days where the longing to be with God is stronger. These are those days. I resonate with the struggle of Paul in Philippians 1…and I’ll quote it at length for the context:
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
You can hear his longing…to be with his Savior. Even though he knows that he is called to something now, his desire is to be with Christ. He is hard pressed. He has seen the glory of the Lord and he longs for that. He longs to be with the One who so deeply loves him…the One who gave Himself for him.
Paul certainly saw the brokenness of the world. He was beaten and persecuted. He saw pain and sickness and death. He felt the darkness all around him. But he also knew the Light of the world (John 8:12). We have all seen the pain and brokenness. It’s all we hear and see on the news. My brother has a friend who is in bad shape from this virus. It’s all hard. And it increases my longing to be with Christ…for the return of our Savior to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-7).
I echo the words of Revelation 22:20,21:
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Amen - come Lord Jesus!
In light of that, I could think of no better song than “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson. Enjoy the beauty, goodness, and truth of this song. And I dare say, you may have this on repeat fairly soon.
Is He Worthy? (Andrew Peterson)
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is
Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is, He is
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is, He is
He is worthy, He is worthy
He is