I would say, “It’s a will worship” morning, but a friend pointed out that many believe Colossians 2:23 refers to worshipping the will rather than worshipping willingly. I’m still looking into this and will report this much: “Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

Relevant to the context of the verse, being, as we are, delivered from the rudiments of the world, we should not be subject to ordinances (v. 20), such as those stipulated in the Law, I considered verse 23 to say that there is, nevertheless, some value, though limited, in the disciplines represented in the “touch not; taste not; handle not” commandments and doctrines of men (v. 22). We need not be “subject” to these, although there is some value in the discipline they represent.

Now, here is the sticking point for me. Notice that Colossians 2:23 concludes by explaining that whatever “will worship” signifies, it is “not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh” (v. 23b). It would seem to me, if the Spirit were saying these disciplines were an evil act of worshipping the will, it would be to the satisfying of the flesh. Therefore, it seems to me that whatever the Spirit is signifying by the expression, “will worship,” it is not something that is serving the flesh. Or at last it is something one might do in a manner that does not serve the satisfaction of the flesh. It seems to me the point is that while we are not subject to ordinances, expressed in the commandments and doctrines of men, such as those of Moses and the Law, there is some limited value in worshipping God with your will, even when desire might be lacking.

At present, although I will continue to consider the matter, I’ll think as I have about this passage, and say it supports the practice that on those occasions when I don’t particularly feel like doing what I ought, I will discipline myself to do it anyway, following the sublime example of my Lord Jesus Who said, “Remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). So far in my examination of this question, I still see it as saying “will worship” is surrendering the will to His will even when doing so unwillingly. Consider that this is something God does, too (Lamentations 3:33; Romans 8:22).*

In any event, it’s one of those mornings when I need to say, “not my will, but thine be done,” and proceed on purpose to choose a psalm to sing for Temple worship today. I think I’ll use Psalm 123:1-2:

Psalms 123:1 ¶ Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Psalms 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Isaiah 63, and directed me to a patch I’ve visited before, verses 15-16. The Mind of the Spirit particularly engaged the spirit of my mind in verse 15.

Isaiah 63:15 ¶ Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Isaiah 63:16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

I include verse 16, and refer you also to verse 11 to establish the relevance of verse 15 to us Gentile believers in the age of His Church:

Isaiah 63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?

Isaiah 63:16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

He put His Holy Spirit within Moses, yet the Spirit dwelt between the cherubim in the Holiest place of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:22; Numbers 7:89; see also 1 Samuel 4:4; and 2 Kings 19:15; etc.). But today, the Spirit of Christ dwells in our hearts, within the veil of this flesh, in the the heart of this body, the holy of holies of His New Testament Temple (Hebrews 10:20 with 2 Corinthians 4:11; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 1:22; Galatians 4:6). Abraham is the father of Isaac, father of Jacob, progenitor of the 12 sons of whom came the nation, Israel. And although Isaiah 63:16 may speak to those children descended from Abraham’s seed that he never knew, it is clearly applicable to us also, who are children of Abraham by faith (Galatians 3:7), grafted into the cultivated Olive (Romans 11:17-21), made joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), who were not a people, but are now “the people of God” (1 Peter 2:10).

Along the still waters, I cried, “Where is he that put his holy Spirit within [me]?” My “Father,” I cry, “Abba”! (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6): “Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?”

What caught my attention was the unexpected “me” in verse 15. Read verse 15 and see! Follow carefully the development of thought from verse 1 through verse 15. Do you not agree that we should expect “us” there and not “me”? Especially consider verse 16, which says, “Doubtless thou art our father…” “Our”? Who is “me”?

From our examination of this passage, taking into consideration what was brought forward already, namely that the New Testament believer has a stake in the sentiments expressed here, I may say I am “me.” What a powerful moment it was to find myself in the middle of the Spirit’s ponderings of my heart, crying, “Where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward—me! Humbled from ice to puddled water.

Have I limited You by my unbelief? Have I grieved you by my sin? Have I observed lying vanities and so restrained thy mercies toward me? (Jonah 2:8, “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.”)

In the valley, wet with the dew of Gethsamene’s tears, I thought, taking this all into account, “me” can be a prophetic look at Christ’s cry in the Garden, “remove this cup,” which revulsion was felt on the Cross, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me” (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). I saw it then, the answer: “Here is my zeal and my strength, the sounding of my bowels and mercies toward—thee!” Unrestrained! The cross broke loose the restraints of His mercy! Then I heard the echo of Christ’s call from His Cross: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, we comisserated for a while. Then He anointed my head with His “fresh” oil (Psalm 92:10) and filled my cup with His sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9; see Matthew 6:34). He signaled goodness and mercy, which quickly appeared, and following us, we entered the harvest for another day’s service.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap: (Probably at about 10 AM PST.)

https://rumble.com/v70la4i-shepherds-pasture.html

[*Lamentations 3:33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (See Psalm 107:39; Nahum 1:12—“Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.”)

Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.]