Topic: The Essence Of Worship [Monday, July 10th]
As they ministered to the Lord , and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them (Acts 13:2).*_
The underlined portion is a remarkable construction. Deuteronomy 10:8 shows us something along this line about the Levites: “At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.” Today, we’re king-priests unto God, to minister to Him (Revelation 1:6).
Ministering to the Lord is the essence of worship; it’s something you do consciously, not passively. Many Christians wonder why they don’t seem to experience the power of God, as they should; the problem, for the most part, lies in this area. They haven’t learnt how to minister to the Lord in worship. Hebrews 13:15 shows us what, and how, to minister to the Lord: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Thus, in ministering to the Lord, you offer tribute or speech that acknowledges and celebrates the Name of the Lord. You testify of His greatness, His love, power, righteousness, grace, wisdom, glory and blessedness! Ministering to Him involves consciously lifting your hands in worship, and adoration for who He is, speaking words from your spirit that extol His majesty.
It’s not enough to say, “Lord, I bless you. I praise you and I worship you!” Your worship must have content. You should rather say, “Lord, I praise you, because you’re wonderful, merciful, considerate, so loving and kind; gracious and glorious”; that’s different. You’ve added content. The book of Psalms is replete with spirit-filled and inspiring contents that extol His majesty, and speak of His greatness; you can use some of the examples to make your psalms of praise and worship to the Lord.
PRAYER
Dear Father, from the depth of my heart, I extol your majesty and revere your matchless Name, for you alone are worthy of all praise. You’re gracious and glorious, righteous, wonderful, kind, and merciful; your loving-kindness is beyond comprehension and your love, unfathomable. You’re great and greatly to be praised. I adore you now and forever. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: || Revelation 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: ||
|| Revelation 7:11-12 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. ||
|| Hebrews 13:15 AMP Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. ||
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 20:17-38,
Job 22-24
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 8:1-10,
Joshua 6
