worship

1 Chronicles 16 – Worship

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There are some words that we use so often they lose their impact and meaning. Words like “sale” and “awesome” are good examples.

Likewise, we can use many church and religious words so much they become cliché.

One example is the word “worship.” So often, we use this word to refer to a scheduled event where people gather together to sing songs and listen to a person deliver a message. (“Worship is at 11:00 today.”) Or we use “worship” to refer to the act of singing together before a message. (“The pastor’s message was good and the worship was strong.”)

But using “worship” in these ways really dumbs down the truer sense of the word. In 1 Chronicles chapter 16, you get a rich taste of what “worship” really means. Worship is a positive reaction to the goodness and glory of God. Worship involves:

  • Recognizing Who He is and what He’s done.
  • Thanking Him for Who He is and what He’s done.
  • Desiring to know Him and to know Him better.
  • Proclaiming His character.
  • Urging others to worship Him through your example.

Worship is so much more than music or a scheduled event. It’s a spiritual experience. It’s meeting God.

Yes, David did provide for music, musicians, and scheduled times of worship. But these were all means to an end…not the end itself. These things were to facilitate worship, not be worship.

When’s the last time you really worshipped? Not went to a service or sang songs of worship, but really, truly reacted to the goodness and glory of God? Maybe it’s time.

1 Chronicles 5-9 – Where’s Your Focus?

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There’s a term in photography called “depth of field.” It’s the range in which things are kept in focus. It’s how you keep your subject in focus and everything else out of focus.

1 Chronicles chapter 9 stands out in sharp focus against the blurred information proceeding it.

This chapter begins with this statement; “The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the Lord.” (NLT) Then, after a short generalized list of those who returned from exile, the chapter focuses on the priests and the Levites, because they were charged with:

  • Dealing with sin.
  • Guarding the entrance of the temple.
  • Worship.
  • Caring for the temple.

Because 1 Chronicles 9:1 plainly says that God’s people were exiled because they were unfaithful, the rest of the chapter focuses sharply on the temple, the priests, and the priests’ faithful representation of God’s presence and ways.

What’s that got to do with you and me?

It’s very easy to allow your depth of field to become so broad that everything seems important. But this leads to unfaithfulness…which leads to our own relational exile from God.

We need to keep our focus sharply on God…to the point that everything else goes out of focus. We need to stay focused on God by:

  • Dealing with our sin (as priests.)
  • Guarding the gates of our hearts and minds (as the gatekeepers.)
  • Being constantly ready to worship (as the musicians.)
  • Taking care of our bodies (as the temple of God.) (1 Cor. 6:19)

Keep your depth of field narrow, by keeping your highest focus and attention on God and His presence in your life.

2 Samuel 12 – God’s Rules of the Road

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To get from point A to point B often requires several steps…and at times, a little help. But, if you will receive the help and take the steps, it’s amazing how far you can get.

In 2 Samuel chapter 12, David moves from hypocritical sinner to conquering king. But it was a hard trip, requiring some help and several steps.

David needed someone to clearly point out that he was not only moving in the wrong direction but that it was a dangerous direction.

Then, David was able to humbly admit his sin and accept the correction given to him. At this point, David turned and started moving toward God…first in shame and regret, and then in petition for help. And even when God would not make the trip any easier, David worshiped God and acknowledged God’s sovereignty. And finally, David turned his attention to the here and now; comforting those whom his actions hurt and getting back to the work he had neglected. (2 Samuel 11:1)

God’s response was to bless David’s family with a son and to bless his work with a victory.

If we’re to get from where we are to where God wants us to be, we need to mind God’s rules of the road. God’s rules of the road are accountability, confession, repentance, prayer, submission, obedience, and worship. These help us to progress on the trip God desires for us, and they lead us to those rest areas where God can bless us, our families, and our work.

So mind God’s rules of the road, and you will move from where you are to where God wants you to be.

Deuteronomy 12 – Be Specific

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Have you ever noticed that when it comes to details, there are people who are more specific in nature and people who are more general in nature.

Specific people meticulously read the instructions before starting. General people just jump in, occasionally glancing over the instructions…if they look at them at all.

Specific people will sit at a red light for five minutes waiting for the light to change…even when no one else is at the intersection. General people will stop at the red light, but if no one else is there, and they’re already been waiting longer than they think they should, they will drive on.

Specific people see a rule as something to be followed. General people see a rule as something to be considered.

When it comes to worship, are you more general or specific?

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