In the past 3 months I have been listening to a song titled “God is God”* (translation) by Delino Marçal, a Brazilian worship leader and song writer. As we approach yet another year, I believe the lyrics of his song are worth sharing. I believe this song communicates the essence of how we can live yet another calendar year with great purpose and focus. Here I offer you my translation of his song (https://www.letras.mus.br/pr-lucas/deus-deus/):

My faith is not rooted
In the things you can do
I learned to (adore) worship You for who You are
From Him comes our “yes” and “amen”
Only from Him and no one else
May God be praised

If God does something, He is God
If he does not, He is God
If the door opens, He is God
But if it closes, He is still God
If the disease comes, He is God
And if I am healed, He is God
If all goes well, He is God
But if it doesn’t, He is still God

I don’t worship Him for what He does
I worship (adore) Him for who He is
Come what may, He will always be God
I don’t worship (adore) Him for what He does
I worship (adore) Him for what He is
Come what may, He will always be God

God is God
God is God

The essence of the content of this song is profound. God is God, period! Regardless of our past, present, or future status. In 2019 many of us experienced loss, doubt, fear, disease, pain, hurt, and much more. The year 2020 is also bound to be filled with such experiences. We live in a fallen world, and sin, along with its consequences, surrounds us. But one thing is true, God is resolute. He is unchanging. He is like a strong rock that is unmovable. He is strong when we are weak. He comforts when there’s pain. He is in complete control … the question is: Is my faith conditioned on what God can, will, or does for me, or is it based on his unwavering nature (In who He is)?

Job once had a rough year. He lost all his property, his servants, and his children, in one single day! Could you imagine what went through his head that one calendar year a few thousand years ago? We obviously cannot possibly know his thoughts. However, we contain the record of how he responded to such terrible tragedy. The Bible tells us, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.‘ In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong” (Job 1:20–22). He worshipped? Seriously! … he worshipped? That’s right! Not only that, he also recognized that God can give and take away, but he is still worthy of worship and adoration. Job’s faith, as Marçal’s song says, was not conditioned by his circumstances. Job probably would have affirmed thew words of Marçal’s last stanza, “I don’t worship (adore) Him for what He does / I worship (adore) Him for what He is / Come what may, He will always be God.” God is God, no matter what may come; no matter what has already come in the form of grief, pain, frustration, agony, and all kinds of suffering.

We all have dreams and aspirations, even expectations, for the year 2020. As you and I plan for what’s next in our lives for the next 12 months of life, if God so graciously would grant us another year of life on earth, don’t forget to worship Him! More importantly, don’t let your worship be conditioned on what he may or may not do for you. Simply worship and glorify Him, for that is our chief purpose. Doors will open and shut. Some things will come into fruition, but some of our plans will be frustrated. We may have a really healthy year physically, or cancer, or some other type of disease may befall us.

However, we must remember … God is God! It’s going to be okay! As Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” God is God! Worship Him, no matter your circumstances! Worship Him, in pain and in suffering! Worship Him, through good and bad! Worship Him, when you’re doubtful and in disbelief! And worship Him, for the best is yet to come!

We serve a gracious, loving, and powerful God … May we internalize these words from the apostle Paul, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3–5).

Finally, a few reminders:

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

* https://youtu.be/JPqitveFAGo

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Written by Daniel Messina