God's Glory And Worship

If there was any symbol that represented God's holiness it would be the ark of the covenant. The ark was a piece of the tabernacle furniture. It was most sacred. It was in most simple terms a box that contained the ten commandments. The priests of the Old Testament were commanded to carry the ark with poles that went through gold rings that were on the ark. On the cover of the ark were two gold angels whose wings covered the center of the top. The center of the cover was called the mercy seat. The ark was kept in a part of the tabernacle that was called the Holiest of All or the Holy of Holies. This part of the tabernacle was to be entered only by the high priest, only once a year and only after the blood of a lamb was shed for the sins of Israel and the ceremonial washing and offering the coals from the sacrifice on the altar of incense. It was on the mercy seat that the glory of God would come down and meat with the high priest to let him know if Israels sins had been atoned for. If the high priest was not spiritually clean when coming before God he would be struck dead. The only way for the high priest to be clean was to perfectly obey the rituals God gave to Moses that concerned the cleansing of the high priest. Most Bible students are familiar with the history of the ark of the covenant and the tabernacle laws of the priests and the Levites. In the Old Testament the Holy of Holies was the only place where God's glory would be manifest. When Jesus died on the cross the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies was torn in two by an earth quake. Now the glory of God is manifested in the life of every consecrated believer. God is always in control. Yet He chooses where He will manifest His glory.

Isaiah 42: 8. I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.



Most Christians are familiar with the account of how the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines and how that it was returned to Israel and eventually came back to Jerusalem. However I want to consider the worship of the people involved in these accounts.
1 Samuel 4 tells how Israel went to battle with the Philistines and were defeated. The people called for the Ark of the Covenant to be brought into the battle. They believed that with the Ark that God's presence would be with them to miraculously win the battle. The two priests, Hophni and Phineas, the sons of Eli went to get the Ark. These two were wicked priests who were never disciplined by there father the high priest.

1 Samuel 2:22. Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
23. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
24.Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.

The Bible says that when the Ark was brought into the war camp the people shouted so loud it shook the earth. These warriors understood the art of praise. They knew the Ark went before Israel when they shouted at Jericho and the walls fell. They knew that praise had manifested God's power in Israel's history. Yet as confident as they were God was not in there plans. Hophni and Phineas were killed in battle and the Ark was captured. At the time this news reached Phineas's wife she was in labour. She died in labour yet the child was born. The child was named Ichabod which means, God's glory has departed. Yet because of the way the priests lived in sin God's glory had already departed long before they had lost the ark. There worship, no matter how loud it was was useless.
The Ark did not stay with the Philistines. They willingly sent it back. God would not be mocked by the Philistines anymore than he would by arrogant worshippers. The ark stayed in the home of a good man named Abinadab. The ark stayed there for twenty years until the time of David's reign.
King David wanted to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem. David was a true worshipper of God and greatly desired God's glory to be in Jerusalem.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 2 Samuel 6:5
The worship was great and even though David's heart was right, he had neglected to carry the ark according to God's instruction. The result was the death of a man.
We must not let our worship replace adherence to the Word. My pastor says it this way, “there are a lot of sincere people but they are sincerely wrong.” Love for God needs to draw us into the word. Our worship will be lacking everything God wants it to be if we do not carefully obey His word. The longest Psalm in the Bible, 119 is a Psalm dedicated to the Word. When David did finally succeed in bringing the ark to Jerusalem the worship was even more exuberant. Yet there was a sincere fear of the Lord in it. Worship was meant to be more than just exciting. It is meant to be powerful. Don't let a lot of excitement be mistaken for the power of God. God will show His power to those who seek His face. You will hear His voice as you heed His Word. He will show grace and mercy as we let the Word convict and cleanse us. The greatest celebration will be from the consecrated and in that time of joy God will deliver and save and heal and provide.

The Original Christmas Songs

I was listening to a radio broadcast this last week where the preacher mentioned there were four songs in the Christmas Story. I read them to my family on Christmas day as part of our Christmas devotions. These songs are so full of promise. Three of them came as prophecies to individuals and the most well known one is the Song of the angels.
Luke 2
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
I know some like to point out that the Bible says, the angels were saying not singing. The reason I believe this was a song is that it says they were praising God. Praise is almost always associated with singing as far as Biblical languages are concerned. Another distinction of what they said is the parallelism. Parallelism is one of the main characteristics of Biblical songs.

Several great truths and promises in their song include God's glory and peace and goodwill. All this was associated with the coming of the Christ.

Then there was the song of Elizabeth...Luke 1:42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Here is a pronouncement of blessing on Mary because of obedience and willingness to be used by God. Also the fact that when Jesus comes there is reason to rejoice just as John leaped for joy before he was even born.
Next was Mary's song...46 And Mary said:


“ My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Mary's song shows us how Jesus can change everything for those who fear Him. She points out the wonderful mercy of God.

Then there was Simeon's song when Jesus was eight days old.
Luke 2:29 “ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Here is the promise that salvation is for everyone who will follow the Lord. This is the reason that Jesus came is to seek and save the lost. This Christmas season I am so thankful for Jesus coming into my life. I pray he has put a song in your heart too.

Singing That Brings God's Presence

There are certain CD's I will play when I really am desperate for an answer from God. It really doesn't have as much to do with the songs that are sung as much as how much spiritual consecration and preparation and prayer the singer has put in to the songs. Just like when David came and played for Saul there have been times when I have been spiritually oppressed and needed to hear from God. So I would put in one of those CD's or just felt impressed to sing certain songs and when the song was being sung God would give me Scriptural revelations and answers. In verse 2 of Psalm 101 David shows this kind of desperation for God. He exclaims, “O when wilt thou come unto me?” The rest of the Psalm shows what David was willing to do to bring God's presence to him.

Psalms 101

1.I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
Notice the subject of his songs. Compare to Matthew 23:23
2.I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
It not only had to do with what he sung but how he behaved.
3.I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
It had to do with what he watched and gave attention and time to.
4. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7.He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
It had to do with the company he kept and avoided.
8.I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.
It had to do with the way he dealt with sin in his life. He destroyed it early or you could say quickly.
Matthew 23:23. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

When Jealousy Arises

A distressing spirit from the Lord had come on King Saul. At this point Saul had already stopped worshipping God except to have the approval of men. He had lied about obeying God's command, he had become big to himself, and he blamed others for his sins. (see 1 Samuel 15:13-14, 17, 20-21) This act of disobedience showed that his heart had become divided between the approval of God and the approval of men. Although he asked for forgiveness he was really only trying to put on a spiritual front.

And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.

Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.

1 Samuel 15 24,25, 30

When Saul's servants saw his distress they knew that some good, Godly music would help. So they sent for David to come and play his harp for Saul whenever the spirit distressed him. As David played annointed music, Saul became relieved.

Saul loved David's ministry until after the defeat of Goliath. When the women sang there song honouring David above Saul, he became very jealous. His jealousy lead to unrealistic mistrust. David was more than a musician. He was also a warrior.

Music ministry is a service that will put you in front of a lot of people. While this might be looked at as an honor it is really a position of great scrutiny and responsibility. Because in the world people get on stage to put on a show people with a carnal spirit try to equate that with what happens in a church service. Don't get me wrong. It is always an honor to worship the Lord Jesus whether on stage or all alone in a secret place. David the shepherd boy understood this. (Psalm 91)

Jealousy overtook Saul. At this point when David played Saul would throw spears at him and try to maliciously destroy him. This will happen with those in church who seek the honor of men. They see you performing your very best because you are entertaining the presence of God. God is not impressed with talent. He is the one who gives talents to people. He looks on the heart and thats why we do our very best in every thing that we do as an offering of worship to Him. Yet the carnal person will not join you in worship but will become envious of your position.

So now David was open to Saul's attacks. If you have been used by God in music ministy you understand these attacks. I think it's important to look at the Psalms David wrote during this time and his life to understand the attitude he had that helped him stay faithful to God. David never stopped loving Saul and he never questioned God's annointing on Saul.

• David turned to God for mercy and truth. (Ps 57:1-3)

• He determined to exalt and praise God no matter what happened . (Ps 57:5)

• Remembers God's goodness will prevail and evil will be judged. (Ps 52:5-7)

• Reestabishes in his heart that he is God's servant. (Ps 52:9)

• Never stopps praying. (Ps 54:1-2)

• In prayer he is transparent to God about his human insecurities. (Ps 55:12-14)

• Trusts God to protect him from man's evil. (Ps 56:4-6)

• Remembers God's promises and determines to never stop praising Him. (Ps 56:10-12)

• Determines to keep singing praises to the Lord. (Ps 57:7-10)

• Pleads to God for righteousness and judgement. (Ps 59:11-13)

These are some great Psalms for practical wisdom in times of carnal attack. The enemy does not want God to be worshipped. The worship of God silences the devil. So of course he will try to stop you. Always remember that people are not your enemy. They are spiritual captives that need to be set free.

Psalm 59:17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Why I Worship This Way

When I express worship to the Lord I do it in a lot of different ways. Sometimes I clap my hands as Psalm 47:1 tells us to. Sometimes I shout as expressed in that same verse. Sometimes I sing as commanded in the sixth verse of that same Psalm. Sometimes I walk and leap as the man healed of crippledness in Acts chapter 3 did. Sometimes I dance or play instruments as Psalm 150 says to. Sometimes I bow down according to Psalm 95:6. Sometimes I raise my hands as in Psalm 134:2.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Psalm 95:6

Through everyone of these methods of praise and worship God is delighted. It make look foolish to the natural man but it brings God pleasure. It gets His attention.

When we see the word, praise, in the Old Testament it can have a variety of meanings. Below is a listing of various Hebrew words that are translated praise or worship and scripture where these words are used.

Transliterated: yadah – to throw up your hands

Phonetic: yaw-daw' Strong's Number: 3034

Text: a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands): -cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).

Gen 29:35. And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Transliterated: halal – to boast, to rave, to appear as foolish

Phonetic: haw-lal' Strong's Number: 1984

Text: a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify: -(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine.

Psalms 48: 1. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Transliterated: thillah

Phonetic: teh-hil-law' Strong's Number: 8416

Text: from 1984; laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn: --praise.

Psalms 22:25. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

Strong's Number: 8426

Transliterated: towdah – a choir of worshippers, extending the hand, thanksgiving

Phonetic: to-daw' Strong's Number: 8426

Text: from 3034; properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers: --confession, (sacrifice of) praise, thanks(-giving, offering).

Ps 26:7. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Transliterated: miqra' – to worship in public

Phonetic: mik-raw' Strong's Number: 4744

Text: from 7121; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal: --assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

Transliterated: shachah – to fall down, to make obeisance

Phonetic: shaw-khaw' Strong's Number: 7812

Text: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God): --bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.

Jeremiah 7:2. Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord.

Transliterated: zamar – to play an instrument or sing

Phonetic: zaw-mar' Strong's Number: 2167

Text: a primitive root [perhaps ident. with 2168 through the idea of striking with the fingers]; properly, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e. play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music: -give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.

Psalms 147: 1. Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Transliterated: shabach – to glory

Phonetic: shaw-bakh' Strong's Number: 7623

Text: a primitive root; properly, to address in a loud tone, i.e. (specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as if by words): --commend, glory, keep in, praise, still, triumph.

Transliterated: shbach - to adore

Phonetic: sheb-akh' Strong's Number: 7624

Text: (Aramaic) corresponding to 7623; to adulate, i.e. adore: --praise.

Psalms 147:12. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

Worshipping God in ways set forth by the Scriptures is powerful. If you have never worshipped God in any of these ways, try it! Your relationship with Him will never be the same! The world celebrates it's sports stars and celebraties and its politicians in these ways. Why not give the celebration to the one who made the stars and is King of kings and Lord of lords forever.

A Passion For Praise

When we come to a worship service there are a lot of different expressions of worship. As we sing songs some people raise there hands. Some people cry. Some people dance. Some people bow down to the ground. Some people clap. Some people shout. All these are biblical ways of expressing worship and praise to God. Yet it's not the expression that is most important; it is the passion for God. Expression can be done very dutifully and even coerced, but passion causes your praise to be spontaneous and it gets the attention of God.

One day after listening to Jesus teach a pharisee named Simon asked Jesus to come to his house for a meal. While there a woman the Bible says was a sinner came into the house.
From Luke 7:36-48
... and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hast not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

One point here is that Jesus was very gracious to the invitation to eat with Simon. If the woman had never come along Jesus probably would have never mentioned any of the things that Simon failed to do. Even though He may had hoped for those expressions of worship He wanted them to be from the heart so He did not press for them. The woman pouring out her worship so passionately found the power of forgiveness that day.

Another point is that Jesus said that the one who is forgiven much is able to love much. Some of you may think, “I haven't done a lot of bad things in my life. I was raised in a Christian home and became born again at an early age. I never rebelled. Does this mean that my worship cannot be as passionate as someone who has sinned a lot and found God's forgiveness?”
The fact is that we have all sinned greatly in our lives. No one is deserving of grace. Jesus proclaimed it to the pharisees this way after He had healed a blind man and revealed Himself as the Son of God.
John 9:39-41
And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind. Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said unto him, Are we also blind? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.
The focus should not be on our sins but on Jesus' mercy.

His mercy endureth forever

The phrase occurs 41 times in the Bible and is always in song. Israel sang this song at the dedication of the temple, and when the ark was being brought into Jerusalem, and when Jehosophat was leading the army into battle. It's no doubt that when we remember His mercy the passion will rise up within us.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

True Worship

Giving, praying, fasting, worship...
These are all things that God loves. These are all ways that we show our love for God.
Can you imagine there are actually prayers that God hates. Fasting, giving and even worship that God hates. We see it first at the first Thanksgiving.

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Even though Cain offered a thanksgiving offering, something was not right in his heart. Jesus spoke of a time when praying and fasting were detestable to Him.

Matthew 6:5-6,16-18 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Finally, Jesus even sighted the pharisees for their worship...

Matthew 15:7-9 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

There is an excellent example of this type of woship in the Old Testament. When king Saul was instructed by Samuel to completely destroy the Amalakites he disobeyed. He told Samuel that he had saved the best the Amalakites had for sacrifice. Samuel told Saul that because of this second act of disobedience to the Lord that God would remove him from being king. Saul told Samuel that he was sorry and begged him to come and worship with him. Samuel refused. My first thought would be, “Why would Samuel refuse to worship with Saul?” If we keep reading the Scripture we find something out about the situation.

1 Samuel 15:30-31 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the Lord.

Saul was not as interested in worshipping the Lord as he was concerned about his own honour. Have you ever hid sin in your heart when it was time to worship? The Bible shows that this is what keeps worhip from being true.

John 4: 22-24 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

If there is such a thing as true worship it stands to reason that there is also false worship. When Jesus said these words to the woman at the well, “you don't know what you worship,” He was talking about the Samaritans. The Samaritans really believed they were worshipping the same God as the Jews. The problem with there worship was not that they didn't believe in the one true God; it was that they worshipped God and idols too.
When you give God true worship it should also bring you joy and strength. There a few things that help make your worship true.

Love for God
Obedience to Him
Consistent reading and study of the Word
Sorrow for sin that leads to repentance.
Forsaking of idols
A strong stand against sin in your own life and in your home and in the church and in the world.
I've seen these principle both in my own experience as well as in the word bring the most true, joyful, power, life changing worship to a church service. And that is truly what we want every time we come together to worship.