A Little Taste of Heaven

Yesterday was Sunday - a day set apart for the LORD. I want to share what was so special about yesterday - what set that day apart - unto Him.

It began as a blessed morning with my grand-kids - but that wasn't what set it apart. I anticipated what the LORD would speak to me through Pastor Russell Howard's Sunday School class - he spoke on the life of Joseph - and it was all that God wanted to speak to me about my own life. But as great as his teaching was - that wasn't what set the day apart for the LORD. Dr. Powell also had a wonderful message about marriage - present - past and future marriages - but even that wasn't it either - though it spoke to me and blessed my heart.

What set apart the day for the LORD happened during the preparation in worship. It wasn't the beginning choruses and hymns that were sung - nor as the more than 100 choir members stood and sang their hearts out - in a song I think was called: All Rise, nor when I rose to my feet (alone) to give honor and praise to the LORD.

What set the day apart unto the LORD was one choir member who caught my eye as she sang the words to All Rise. I felt the worship in my own heart because of the worship that exuded from her. She was in her sixties (I'm guessing). Her heart poured out with emotion - she could barely sing the words. I closed my eyes several times as we sang but each time I opened them I was drawn to her face. Tears of JOY rolled down her cheeks as our eyes met. I could not help but smile at her - to let her know that my heart was right in line with hers in praise to the God of Universe as we worshiped Him together.

I've been reading several books (this week) - one of which is Don Piper's book: 90 Minutes in Heaven. In it, he shares about his experience of heaven - the sounds, the music and the singing. I couldn't help but think (when I watched this woman singing) that we shared "a little taste of heaven" - what it will be like when we are in the very Presence of Almighty God - our Messiah - Jehovah - and will sing praise from our hearts with JOY.

Psalm 63:3-5

3 But may the righteous be glad

and rejoice before God;

may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praise to His Name,

extol Him who rides on the clouds—

His Name is the LORD—

and rejoice before Him.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

is God in His holy dwelling.

Psalm 104:31-34

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

may the LORD rejoice in His works-
32 He who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him,

as I rejoice in the LORD. [emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Day 39 of 40 - in The Desert of Waiting