There also seems to be a chilling fear of holy enthusiasm among the people of God.
We try to happy we are-but we remain so well-controlled that there are very few waves of glory experienced in our midst.
Some of you go to the ball game and you come whispering because you are hoarse from ting and cheering.
But no one in our day ever home from church with a voice hoarse from shouts brought about by a manifestation of the glory of God among us.
Actually our apathy about praise in worship is like an inward chill in our beings. We are under a shadow and we are still wearing the grave clothes.
You can sense this in much of our singing in the contemporary church.
Perhaps you will agree that in most cases it is a kind of plodding along, without the inward life of blessing and victory and resurrection joy and overcoming in Jesus' name.
WHY IS THIS? It is largely because we are looking at what we are, rather than responding to who Jesus Christ is!
We have often failed and have not been overcomers because our trying and striving have been in our own strength. That leaves us very little to sing about!
Dr. A.B. Simpson wrote:
Fainting soldier of the Lord, Hear His sweet, inspiring word; I have conquered all thy foes, I have suffered all thy woes. Struggling soldier, trust in Me, I have Overcome for thee!
This has to be the secret of our praise and enthusiasm-Jesus Christ is our Overcomer!
In our own strength we cannot overcome anyone or anything.
Fear not though thy foes be strong, Fear not though the strife be long;Trust thy glorious Captain's power, Watch with Him one little hour.
Hear Him calling, "Follow Me, I have overcome for thee!
Brethren, human activity and human sweat and tears work not the victory of Christ!
It took the sweat and tears and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. It took the painful dying and the victorious resurrection and ascension to bring us the victory!
~A. W. Tozer~
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