Like Never Before

Bless the Lord oh my soul,

Oh my soul,

Worship His Holy name.

Sing like never before,

Oh my soul.

I worship Your Holy name.

(-Matt Redman)

 

 

It was our first Sunday together since the fast began.  And it was amazing, like never before. 

 

Many of our people have begun to get serious about fasting and praying. People are fasting in all sorts of ways.  Some are doing what might be called the radical fast, going 40 days without food.  Others are fasting one day a week. Or one meal a day.  Some are doing a Daniel fast.  Some who have medical issues that prevent fasting food are fasting other things.  Things like social media or television.  Or sleep.

 

That sounds a little strange, doesn't it?  I'm fasting one meal a day for these 40 days.  But I'm also fasting sleep.  I'm giving up two hours of sleep every day.  Getting up two hours earlier than normal and spending those two hours with the Lord.  In prayer and in the Word. 

 

I don't mind telling you that, so far at least, giving up sleep is by far more difficult for me than missing a meal.  I love to eat; that's no secret.  And it's pretty obvious from the looks of me!  But I also love my sleep.  And my best sleep always comes in those last couple of hours before I awake.  In spite of that, the Lord has led me to give that up, and so that's what I'm doing.  And I am being blessed because of it.

 

One of the great blessings so far during this time of fasting and praying was our time of corporate worship on Sunday.  I'm hesitant to refer to it as a "worship service" because it was unlike our "normal" services.  On a typical Sunday morning at our church there are four worship services, two at 9 AM and two at 10:30.  There is a blended service in the sanctuary at the earlier hour, followed by a more traditional service.  At both times, there is a contemporary service going on in a building across the road.

 

On Sunday, by means of technology, the two services were united at each hour.  We sang together, prayed together, and worshiped together.  We were one body in two places.  It was very special.  But that's not the most special part.  It's not the "never before" part.  We have, from time to time on previous occasions, been joined by technology.

 

Sunday was unlike our "normal" Sundays.  Perhaps because we are more focused as a result of praying and fasting.  In any event, as we prayed, and as we sang, and as we listened, there was an overwhelming sense of God's presence among us. 

On this particular Sunday, there was no sermon in the usual sense.  We didn't follow our typical order of service.

 

On Sunday, we sang.  We prayed.  We stood.  We sat.  Some knelt.  We listened.  And we heard and experienced God speaking to us.

 

It was amazing.  It was like never before. 

 

It's hard to find words to adequately describe the experience.  I can only say that I was blessed over and above and beyond.  Like never before.

 

"O give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.  Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.  Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.  Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually."  (Psalm 105:1-4 NASB)



If you'd like to know more about our worship experience, click on this link:
http://new.livestream.com/fbcspartanburg/events/3355219