Welcome to Monday Minute With God. A place to start the week right and tools to keep you in the word all week long.
Worship in Relationship
What can we learn from King David’s devotion to worshiping the Lord?
King David was a man with deep love and reverence for the Lord. He desired and lived for a close relationship with Him, which he expressed and strengthened through worship.
The passage in 1 Chronicles 16: 8-36 is one of many examples of King David’s heart for worshiping the Lord. It is a picture of him encouraging corporate worship as the Israelites return the Ark of the Covenant to once again be centrally located and foster relationship with God.
As King he instructs the focus of the worship that will happen while celebrating the return of the presence of the Lord to reside in the heart of the Israelite territory. This is a beautiful picture of renewing a close relationship between the Lord and His beloved chosen people after years of separation brought about by the previous King Saul’s disobedience (1Samuel13:9-14; 1 Samuel 15).
Consider the contrast between the return of the ark and the separation in relationship with God that took place in the Garden when Adam and Eve first disobeyed. Reflect on the blessing of Christ’s, life, death, and resurrection redeems and renews mankind . Because of Christ, we have the ability to have a direct personal relationship with the Lord when we believe the truth of Christ’s redeeming life as Savior.
If you are a believer in Christ, how is your worship relationship growing?
To honestly answer this question, we must determine what worship is. What comes to your mind first when you think of worship? Is it the singing time during Sunday church or a quiet time of thanks? It is reflecting on God’s impact in your life?
What does worship mean to you?
Worship as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is “the act of showing respect and love” that is offered to a divine being. Love and respect are also at the heart of our worship relationship with our Savior.
The heart behind David’s worship was to bring Glory to God. Reviewing his worship plan can open our hearts and minds to refocus our worship on relationship with our Savior in new ways. Take a moment to read his song of thanksgiving and praise written in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36. Does it inspire your heart to worship the Lord in any new ways?
Throughout this song he calls the Israelites to action in their worship:
- to sing
- to look
- to remember
- to declare
- to ascribe
- to bring
- to tremble
- to give thanks
- to cry out- before the Lord
Worshiping our Savior is not a ritual but a relationship. Choose to worship by expressing love and showing respect with His glory in mind. As a new believer, I would have described worship as singing in church. But as I grow in my relationship with God, I realize it is the combination of any act of love and respect of God.
Daily we wade through the bombardment of ways to spend our time in a “self gratifying” culture. It is an act of worship when I choose to spend time doing something that honors and glorifies God over my selfish desire.
Paul tells us in Romans 12: “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship.” And Jesus declares in John 4:24 that since “God is Spirit” his worshipers are to “worship Him in spirit and truth.” Let’s choose to bring our Savior glory as we grow in our worship relationship with Him!
Core Concept: Worship builds, strengthens, and is an outpouring of relationship with God.
Think about It:
- How does offering your body as a living sacrifice to the Lord build and strengthen your relationship with God? What are some action areas that you will refocus your worship?
- Worship is an outpouring of relationship: Are you spending time getting to know your Savior?
- What do you think Jesus meant by worshiping in Spirit and truth?
Worship in relationship this week
Day 1: The how of worship.
Memorize: 1 Chronicles 16:29 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
Pleasing worship to God comes from a heart bowed to Him alone and focused on Him above everything else. That sounds like a tall order right? I struggle to focus on anything other than me for longer than 10 minutes. I find comfort that the Lord is not looking at our minds focus He is looking at our hearts focus and attitude toward Him. So how we worship begins with an inward act of reflection, repentance, and refocusing our heart on God’s greatness and glory. Trust the Spirit to lead your worship through prayer, song, dance, ministry, or something else. May your worship be a sweet fragrance to the Lord.
Day 2: Who and why of worship.
Read through 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 as an act of worship. Then reflect on these questions.
- How does this song reveal God’s character? Who is praising him and why?
- What are some things that God has done/is doing in your life that you want to praise him for?
- Take time today to enjoy nature, the beauty created by God. Let His creation inspire your worship.
Day 3: The what of worship.
- What are you doing to build and strengthen your worship relationship with the Lord?
- What makes the Lord personally worthy of your worship?
- What characteristic of your Savior draws you into relationship with Him?
Take time today to list words or phrases that describe your reverent relationship with God. Consider getting creative with this; by writing with colored pens or pencils, create a word picture on the computer, or do a photo collage. Just to name a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Have fun with your expression of worship of the King!
Day 4: When and where of worship.
1 Chronicles 16:23-24 “Sing to the Lord all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
Underline the “when” and “where” of worship stated in the verses above.
- How do you feel the Lord is calling you to worship in this way?
- Consider sharing “his marvelous deeds” in your life with a friend or stranger today.
Day 5: Relationship of worship.
We have been invited into an intimate relationship with our Savior, who is worthy of our praise. Set aside time to write a love letter to him expressing your love and respect for him. He will cherish this time you spend with him
Submitted by Sherry Eifler
