“Make a joyful
shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His
presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has 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
to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And
His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5 NKJ)
shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His
presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has 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
to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And
His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5 NKJ)
Four-year-old Grant
is full of joy and energy. When he wants something, he rushes up and presents
his desires. No preamble or patience. Here I am with my request. He usually
enjoys undivided attention and desires nothing less.
is full of joy and energy. When he wants something, he rushes up and presents
his desires. No preamble or patience. Here I am with my request. He usually
enjoys undivided attention and desires nothing less.
Unfortunately, I do
that to God too. With my own agenda, I rush into his “presence”
expecting his undivided attention. Yes, I have immediate access to him and
should boldly approach his throne for help (Heb. 4:16). Yet, attitude and
manner of approach is important.
that to God too. With my own agenda, I rush into his “presence”
expecting his undivided attention. Yes, I have immediate access to him and
should boldly approach his throne for help (Heb. 4:16). Yet, attitude and
manner of approach is important.
The Psalmist
instructs us to know God and approach him reverently. He is God! There is no
one like him. He has no equal. He is our Creator! He made us and the universe.
He is our Shepherd! We his people are his sheep. When approaching him boldly, a
healthy dose of humble reverence is appropriate.
instructs us to know God and approach him reverently. He is God! There is no
one like him. He has no equal. He is our Creator! He made us and the universe.
He is our Shepherd! We his people are his sheep. When approaching him boldly, a
healthy dose of humble reverence is appropriate.
God deserves
reverence even with our joyful shouts and glad service. In fact, without the
proper attitude toward him, the shout and gladness and thanksgiving and praise
all seem hollow. On the other hand, these forms of worship lose their brassy
clanging when saturated with a reverent attitude.
reverence even with our joyful shouts and glad service. In fact, without the
proper attitude toward him, the shout and gladness and thanksgiving and praise
all seem hollow. On the other hand, these forms of worship lose their brassy
clanging when saturated with a reverent attitude.
Joyful shouts become
praise. Glad service becomes worship. Singing becomes effortless. Gratitude
becomes natural. Entering his courts with praise attunes our ears to his voice.
A reverent attitude adjusts our spirit to properly bless his name with substance
and meaning.
praise. Glad service becomes worship. Singing becomes effortless. Gratitude
becomes natural. Entering his courts with praise attunes our ears to his voice.
A reverent attitude adjusts our spirit to properly bless his name with substance
and meaning.
Oh, our God is good
all the time! Despite our rushing up to him, demanding his undivided attention,
he is merciful. This enduring truth promotes a reverent attitude.
all the time! Despite our rushing up to him, demanding his undivided attention,
he is merciful. This enduring truth promotes a reverent attitude.
Dear Father, you are
holy and worthy of all reverence. Empower us with a reverent attitude. This I
pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
holy and worthy of all reverence. Empower us with a reverent attitude. This I
pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Rush reverently
today,
today,