The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Psalm 145:8 NIV
How I love this verse! It is also a Vineyard Worship song, “The Lord is Gracious and Compassionate” written by Graham Ord and recorded in 1998 by Vineyard Music Group in the U.K. The lyrics speak of a loving, compassionate and merciful God who is good to all. This song was a regular part of the worship set when I began attending Vineyard Church North Phoenix sometime in 2002.
I grew up in a very traditional Christian church. I just remember feeling like God must be mad at me because I couldn’t keep all the rules. I couldn’t remember a time when I actually felt that God loved me, even though I knew that Jesus died for my sins on that horrible cross. Then one day a friend invited me to church at VC.
I remember walking into the building and noticing how simple it was. Then the service started as the worship band began to play music that was easy to sing along to. As I began to sing along something inside of me felt like I was “home”. I had never experienced anything like this before. It was really quite emotional and I began to cry, but I wasn’t sad. Actually I felt more embarrassed, but I looked around to see if anyone had noticed. No one seemed to notice, instead they too were engaged in the music. It was quite an experience! I knew I had found my church.
I now know what I was experiencing was the felt presence of God through the Holy Spirit. I loved the music so much that I bought some Vineyard worship cds to play at home. I experienced the same loving presence of God every time I would sing to the songs. My favorite song was “The Lord is Gracious and Compassionate “.
I was so excited when I realized that some of the song was actually verses in the Bible. I also loved the fact that every time I sang this song I would believe more and more that God loved me, despite my flaws and my inability to get through a day without committing any sins. I began to understand what Gods grace really was. I went from believing in a God that seemed demanding and angry to the God of the Bible who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love!!
Recently, I have been struggling with an area in my life where God is calling me to a greater obedience to Him. I wish I could say that I just said “Yes” to the Lord and started walking in obedience but that’s not what’s happening. Today as I was asking for forgiveness again I heard this precious song playing in my mind and it brought me to tears. I am so glad that we serve such a gracious and loving God, aren’t you?
My prayer for you is that you would know God’s love, grace and compassion for you today, receiving this gift fully from the One who loves you richly!
Blessings,
Linda
loved reading this story about worship and your experience!
Love this scripture–thanks for the story of your faith journey with it!
Thank You Linda, the reminder His Compassions are new every morning is very much needed.
I joined Vineyard Church North Phoenix in August 2015 and recently I have been making it a requirement to get to service and settled in my seat before the worship session begins at 9:15 so that I can partake in the entire worship. Very often I will be in tears, but they are happy tears because I am moved by the Spirit in that place.
I too love that song! I remember coming to church with my friend for the first time and crying my eyes out the whole time of worship. What an amazing feeling to know I had found my home! Love you, Linda.
Such an awesome memory to cherish – I, too, am ever so thankful to call VC my home!