Watch This!

I was visiting a nearby church, a congregation I knew well. I was familiar with many of its members, and knew some of their personal struggles. As the service began, the congregation entered into singing and worship. The youth were energetic, and the elders participated faithfully. Their praise continued for several minutes.

Then, God spoke to my spirit, saying, “Watch this!” I sensed He was proud of what was about to unfold. Curious, I scanned the sanctuary to see what was about to happen.

My attention settled on a young girl who faced severe health challenges—challenges that visibly affected her life and would remain unless God performed a miracle. Yet, she worshiped with abandon. She was so animated that those around her seemed motionless by comparison.

Next, I noticed a man battling a life-threatening illness. Against his doctor’s orders, he began to dance and shout in worship. What he was doing carried risks—it could have led to a trip to the emergency room or worse.

Finally, my gaze fell upon a man raising his young daughter alone. A wounded soul struggling to overcome the scars of betrayal began worshiping without reservation.

These three, each burdened with their unique trials, worshiped without restraint. The Spirit of God flooded the sanctuary, and others in the congregation were inspired to worship with even greater fervor.

As this unfolded, God moved upon my spirit again, and I felt His immense love and deep appreciation for the worship of His most wounded and downtrodden children. His emotions were intense, sweet, and rich. I could only bow and weep before Him. I realized that when God said,” Watch this!” He was bragging about His children’s faith and resilience.

In that moment, God allowed me to see beyond their struggles. I saw their testimony and felt His response to their sacrifice.

We are taught that praise and worship break down strongholds and invite the presence of God into our midst. Many of us have heard this message so much that we have become immune to its power. Sometimes, we deliberately withhold a sacrifice of love from the Lord during our pain and suffering. I know; I’ve done it—a royal princess pout when life didn’t go my way.

What I didn’t realize until that day is how much God loves our praise and worship and how quickly and intensely it affects Him. But it does in a profound way.

God is love. God is faithful. He covets our heartfelt worship, which reaches into the depths of His heart. I imagine Him proudly watching from His throne, telling all of Heaven, earth, and hell: “Watch This!”

He did it with Job. I used to call my trials “a Job moment.” Now, I see it from God’s point of view. He celebrates with his children when they overcome adversity with a victorious song and dance. That is a true “Job moment” from God’s view.

The Bible says, “Deep calleth unto deep” (Psalm 42:7). In the depths of your despair, your true praise and worship touch the deep recesses of God’s heart. Many times, I have worshiped fervently, only to walk away feeling it wasn’t important to Him, wondering if He even noticed. I didn’t realize how deeply it touched Him or how proud it made Him. But I do now.

I once thought only God could call us into the depths and that we needed an invitation from Him. I don’t believe that anymore. We, too, can call Him into the deep, and He will meet us there. He looks forward to it.

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of his people” (Psalm 22:2).

“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me” (Psalm 42:7).