Praise and Worship

This week a colleague and I had a discussion on the role of music in our lives. I shared with him that I value music and worship because they give me an opportunity to express my love and appreciation for Jesus Christ. In my opinion, worship is important because we get to commune with God and enhance our relationship with Him. I value music because while worshipping God, He speaks to me and I, in turn, express His importance to me.

Recently, I watched a 1992 video recording of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs. Among other things, he spoke about how while in Communist prisons for more than 14 years, he and the other prisoners praised and worshipped God. Pastor Wurmbrand said they sang hymns and songs and used their hand and foot shackles as instruments. Can you imagine those sounds and melodies? He demonstrated on the video how they clanked the chains together, and shared while they worshipped God behind bars, they considered their hardships as a “light affliction just for a moment.” That really puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

Pastor Wurmbrand’s testimony of courage challenges me to pray that the Holy Spirit energizes our brothers and sisters suffering around the world because of their belief in Jesus Christ. My prayer and desire is for God to continually encourage and uplift them in the midst of great difficulty and persecution. I encourage you to continue to pray God gives persecuted believers perseverance to continue their stand for Him. May they consider their challenges as a light affliction just for a moment.