Tender green shoots of summer have given way to the golden harvest of autumn - "And the floors shall be full of wheat and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil." - Joel 2:24  Filled with a thankful heart, I am drawn to the relationship between worship and the "threshing floor". Going beyond merely the place where the grain was threshed - a separation of grain from chaff. First is the cutting of the stalks and their spreading over the ground to beat the heads of the grain from them and then, the tossing of the stalks into the air to gather the separated fruit. It is clear that this analogy shows a place of judgement and testing for we, the believers. But, it is also a place of blessing to be given and received. (Numbers 18:30 - the increase of the threshing floor) It is out of this blessing received from the threshing floor that an offering to the Lord is made (Numbers15:20) and which connects the floor to worship. As we worship, we enter into a time of separation and purification. It becomes a time of meeting with our God. If we are wise, we will step onto the threshing floor in preparation and sanctification - "cleansed and washed" by the water of the Word" - Ephesians 5:26. Wearing clothes of mercy and kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness   (I Peter 5:5 and Colossians 3:12-17)

I recognize this time of stripping and testing and praise Him with a  humble, and repentant heart through Jesus. I choose to surrender to the process of being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory (II Corinthinas 3:18) What a year this has been, and one for which I will forever give Him honor and praise and glory - following Him wherever He leads me (Revelation 14:1-5). 

"Oh Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praises. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite spirit; a broken and humble heart, Oh God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:15-17

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