2 Samuel 6; 1 Chr. 13

“When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!” 2 Sam 6:20-22 NLT

Saul’s daughter, Michal, was so distracted by David’s undignified worship that it hindered her from celebrating the ark’s return to the city. But, David made sure she knew that his motives were an outward reflection of his heart. I think on my church’s worship services. There are people dancing & waving flags. There have been times when I have let that distract me from what God wants to do in me. But, there’s also a supernatural freedom and joy that I see and crave. He might not be asking me to do those things. And he is more concerned about my heart posture towards him. But, he could be asking me to lift my hands in surrender to him. Am I willing to look foolish for him?

“It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul. Then David and all of Israel went to Balaah of Judah (also called Kiriath-jearim) to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord who is enthroned between the cherubim. David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments-lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.” 1 Chronicles 13:3-8 NLT

David brought the ark back to the center of Israel to remind them of their true foundation and worship. Israel’s neglect of the ark symbolized their neglect of God. I reflect on this as I work on my garden that’s been overtaken with weeds. What have I been neglecting in my spiritual life to bring me closer to God?

Dear Father, I give you all my worship & praise. Thank you that you are a God who likes celebration. Forgive me when I let lesser things get in the way of that. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

Advertisement

1 Sam. 24; 1 Chr. 8; 1 Cor. 8; Ps. 57,58

“May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds, So you can be sure I will never harm you. May the Lord therefore judge which one of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!” 1 Samuel 24:12-16 NLT

Saul was hunting down David to kill him, but when David had the opportunity to take revenge on Saul he didn’t. He still respected Saul as God’s anointed King. And David had the courage to stand up to the group that was urging him to kill Saul. He knew who his advocate was. He placed his trust in the Lord for justice. Do I?

“When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you my son David?” Then he began to cry. And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today.” 1 Samuel 24:16-20 NLT

When have I am wronged or betrayed, how do I react? It might not be as severe as David, but it hurts just as much. I’m thankful for a God that understands. And that I can go to him with all of my emotions and feelings.

“The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for this who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” Psalms 58:10&11 NLT

Dear Father, I pray that my heart would be moved to compassion for others. And that I would seek forgiveness. I pray that like David, I will trust you to make things right. Help me to have a posture of humility. And to truly love others like you love me. I have a very real enemy who is after me. But, you already have the victory, Jesus. Amen.

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” Psalms 57:1&2 NLT

Amy(amyctanner)

Joshua 5-8; Mark 5; Psalm 69

When Joshua was near Jericho, he saw a Man with sword drawn, and Joshua went to Him and worshiped the Commander of the Lord’s army. (Joshua 5:13) The Lord was with Joshua in that famous victory, the walls that fell at Jericho. But right after this, the sin of Achan caused Israel’s defeat at Ai. Unaware of the reason for the loss of his men, Joshua cried out to God as though God’s reputation was at stake. The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face?” The Lord instructed Joshua to find the “accursed thing” taken and hidden by Achan. Once Israel was purged of this sin, Joshua was again given victory over his enemies.

Then Joshua worshiped, wrote a copy of the law on stones, and read aloud to all the assembly, including the women and children and the strangers living among them, the entire body of the Law given by Moses.

In Mark, we read that a demon-possessed man who would cry out and cut himself saw Jesus from afar. The man “ran and worshiped Him.” (Mark 5:6) Jesus gave the demons permission to enter two thousand swine, and “the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea and drowned in the sea.” What a picture of another deliverance! This same man was next described as “sitting and clothed, and in his right mind.”

The healed man wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus instructed him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

I, too, have run to God, crying out, “Save me, O God!” I relate with the Psalmist who says, “I am weary with my crying, my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.” (Psalm 69:3) Where is my victory? When I run toward my Lord, Jesus Christ, do I immediately worship Him? Or as in Mark’s account of the mourners of the little girl who was thought to be dead and gone forever, do I fear that all is lost? Sometimes, I hear my own doubts saying, “Why bother the Teacher any further?”

Yet, as soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the little girl’s parents, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” And to the mourners, He said, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” Then Jesus called to the girl, who arose and walked to her parents. (Mark 5:41)

We who love the Lord will experience times when deliverance is necessary. I need to be reminded especially then that our Lord will heal me and deliver me from my fears. For God’s character never changes. His love is loyal, His kindness and tender mercies compassionate.

And like the Psalmist I can say, “Though I am poor and sorrowful; let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” Whatever the battle – physical, emotional, internal, external – my God will never fail to hear me, go before me, and rescue me. And thankfully so!

Dear Lord, Your words are a lifeline to me in times of trouble. Your Holy Spirit brings understanding, perseverance, and patience. The victory is Yours and so should be all the glory. “Whom have I in heaven but You? There is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail, But God [You are] the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25, 26)

Janet

Numbers 15-18; Acts 18; Ps.90

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. “When you finally settle in the land I am giving you, you will offer special gifts as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. These gifts may take the form of a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a voluntary offering, or an offering at any of your annual festivals, and they may be taken from your herds of cattle or your flocks of sheep and goats.” Numbers 15:1-3 NLT

Lord, I desire to offer my life to you in worship. “Let it rise like incense, my whole life a fragrance. Every ounce here broken at Your feet. Every breath an offering. My heart cries, these lungs sing over You. My worthy King of Kings.” -Alabaster Heart, Bethel Music & Kalley Heiligenthal.

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” Acts 18:9-11 NLT

I went to a Wednesday night service at my church. There was a simplicity to it that drew me in. I sat and listened to God. And I realized how distracted I have been lately. I pray that I stay quiet enough to hear your voice. I pray for more boldness & courage. I am thankful for examples like Paul. Thank you that You are still speaking Lord.

“Lord. you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you have formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1&2 ESV

Dear Father, Help me to order my days to seek after you. To do what you have called me to do. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let the favor of the Lord God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:12-17 ESV

Amy(amyctanner)

Revelation 5:1-9:11

Revelation 4:11

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.”

A simply stated truth about God; about His worthiness to receive glory, honor and power because of who He is – the creator of all things, and the power He possesses – He spoke the world, us and all that there is, into existence.

This knowledge of God’s worthiness ought to move us to worship Him as we recognize what has been true of Him since before time began. For us, His creations, it’s all about worship.

The question for me then becomes – How do I worship God?  What is the appropriate expression of worship through my unique personality? I’ve struggled with this for years because of my narrow view of worship… singing. Yes, I’m one of those! I love music but I’m not always moved by the worship music I sing. I’m left feeling guilty, even ashamed that I wasn’t able to “worship” the God I profess to love. For a non-singer, imagine the thought of spending eternity… singing!

I’ve had to expand my view of worship. I feel like I am honoring God and giving him worship when I…

– spend time quietly in His presence.

– talk about His goodness to those who are seeking.

– encourage fellow believers in their faith.

– when I admit my own struggles to trustworthy saints – entrusting myself to His care through the Body of Christ.

– reach out to the broken, hurting , lost souls that silently cry for help.

– pray and ask him to help me see people through His eyes.

– do the things I’d rather not do because in my heart I know He is calling me to step out in faith.

– use my gifts and talents in a way that brings glory to God and not myself.

Worship has become the essence of my personal relationship with the Living God. Sometimes I gaze in wonder, sometimes I’m anxiously excited, sometimes my heart aches and the tears well up, and sometimes I’m even moved to… sing.

At the end of the day, it is still all about worship.

Paul

From the archives. Originally published December 24, 2009.