A few days ago, I wrote about Rapha, a little dog that God healed from some traumatic injuries. It’s amazing how the Lord is so ready to teach us through almost anything if our ears are open to hear Him. I learned a lesson about worship during my time with Rapha. Here’s a prayer I journaled to Jesus:
“Jesus, little Rapha has been showing me such affection since he began walking again. He cries for me to come near to him, and when I do, he wags his tail in delight – as if there is no longer ANY problem – even though he’s still in pain, still emaciated, and his neck is still crooked. Then he lifts his little body on weak and wobbly legs, hobbles nearer, licks my toes, nuzzles my legs, and curls up to sleep at my feet.
Oh, Jesus, let me be to You like Rapha! Let me show You all my affection, appreciation, and loyalty! Let me cry out to You, rejoice to see You, delight to draw nearer, and take pleasure in worshipping You – for You are worthy! Let me rest in peace at Your feet. Thank You for making a way for me – for guiding me so gently… for caring… You are so good, Father. I love you!!!”
Rapha didn’t withhold his love from me until his body was perfectly well again. He chose to lavish his affection on me in the middle of his recovery, while his body still hurt a lot. Even in such affection coming from a little puppy, my human heart was moved. How amazing to know that we can move the heart of God with our worship!
No matter how broken our bodies and souls – despite our deep as-yet-unfulfilled longings – regardless of our current pain – let’s learn a lesson in worship from Rapha. Let’s love our Rescuer with all we have today! Let’s push through our pain to come to the foot of His throne, and let’s trust Him enough to rest our hearts there, at His feet.
When you do that, I hope you sense His heart exploding in pleasure over you. I hope His smile soothes your wounds.
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