Leaders, Podcasts / Devotionals, Worship Theology
Before It Begins
#3-11-16 #WorshipDevotional #B4ItBegins Worship is more than just a set of songs. It goes beyond the music and lights. Worship is definitely not a production, at least what we find from Scripture. So before we change that guitar string and before we hit the power switch, how is God changing our hearts to make worship by His power and for His glory? When we consider the greatness of God, we also have to consider how tiny we truly are.
Our attempts may be well, but there is no earthly praise of many voices, that can be any greater than a single broken and contrite heart.How often do we first consider our actions and words before we approach God in worship?
What is exactly fruitful and acceptable in the Lord’s eyes? More importantly, how does God find our worship when we begin His praise? “Fruitful and acceptable worship begins before it begins.” – Alexander MacLaren The quote above expresses an important introspection of one’s self in view of Godly worship. It is good to begin with a similar kind of spiritual preparation as we prepare physically for each day.
For me, it is unfathomable to not emotionally prepare my heart’s condition before I worship God. When I don’t, I feel as though I just go through the motions.
What remains is a sluggish weight in my heart or a distraction in mind. Worship involves mercy. When we read the pages of the Old Testament, we see what God expected in the preparation of worship. Leviticus gives us a very clear picture of what was acceptable and fruitful to God in worship. The Bible indicates that there was a preservation of the Most Holy Place. A thick veil curtain separated God from the people.
The priests (like Aaron) were to enter the inner sanctum only once a year to offer sacrifices for the nation’s sins. It was truly the most sacred place on earth. To enter this most sacred place, the priests were to prepare and to carry out God’s instructions for offering unblemished animals and other perfect regulations for sacrifice. As the priest proposed to offer his gift to God, he would “draw near” to worship.
To the Hebrews, there is a more significant action to this phrase rather than today’s casual connotation. The verb “draw near,” conveys the idea of sacrifice. In other words, the form of this verb means “to make to draw near” or “to bring near.”
When the worshipper made an animal “draw near,” he had the intention of worshipping. He wanted to honor God, to get rid of his sin and to live again in right fellowship with God and man.
He became obedient in bringing the prescribed offering. To prepare for such a great sacrifice to occur for only once a year, had to have been a serious, yet even intimidating factor – this is how worship was deemed in the Old Testament.
Today, here in the New Testament, we have the opportunity and access to draw near to God anytime – through His mercy. What was once restricted, is now open. Instead of approaching God in guilt, we come to Him in grace. He purifies our minds and hearts so we may know Him in complete truth. Christ, through His sacrificial offering, has transformed our lives from fear to freedom.
All of this was done through one Man through one way of obedient sacrifice, by the mercy and love of God: Christ is our Sacrifice and Salvation. May we worship Him not in part, but in whole. Before we begin, may we offer Him all that we are as a living sacrifice – again through His mercy.
Reflection:
Before you worship God, how do you draw near to Him? What are the emotional and/or physical weights that are in need of rendering to His feet? Again, how would He find your worship? Are you living the kind of life that is open as a daily offering to God? What can the Lord do right now to help move everything out of the way, in order to help you live it?
@BranonDempsey @worshiptt
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