An important reminder in a time of crisis

There’s a verse that I came upon that I always thought was very important… Genesis 47:31. Today I think it is even more important.  It’s a little thought but a crucial one in a time of crisis.  The importance of this verse is revealed by answering the question, what is necessary for worship?

Think of the natural answers to that question… a preacher, music, singing, prayers, Scripture reading, the holiday season (Christmas or Easter), church building, choirs, bands, stained glass… what is necessary for worship?

The image in this verse is of a man who is dying and worships leaning on a stick.  He had a stick… granted it was a big stick, big enough to be called a staff, but nonetheless it was just a stick.  He leaned on it and worshipped.

Someone thought it was important enough to repeat it… that’s always an important thing to notice in the Bible.  The moment is recorded again in Hebrews 11:21. Someone else took note and said, “Hey, remember this.”  In a time of crisis, what do you need for worship?  Some tangible element of support was all he needed, and that simple tool allowed him to worship.

What do we have around us?  What support do we lean on?  What do we have by which to worship? What do we need that would allow us to simply be in God’s presence and to acknowledge, honor, enjoy and even adore our Lord?

That’s the place to start each day in our time of crisis… just leaning on our support and taking the time to worship.