Worship Wednesday

David

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We cannot talk about praise without mentioning David. I also can’t help but mention it’s evident, that happy is the man who has the ark near him. The ark of God brought so much joy to all who were close to it. It represented the immediate presence and glory of God in Israel. That surely is a reason to be joyful. How then are we so sad in God’s presence? Even more that He is with us and in us. The ark of God is now in us!!! I can imagine what David would do had he lived in our time! If the had a chance to live in our generation and have God living IN him – how would he praise? We often make the mistake of only getting excited about the songs and not necessarily the heart of praise. Too familiar with the ark so our conduct is just too careless. “Why praise, let’s go straight to the Word!” Or “ They should dance quickly l want to go home!”

Is praise just flattering God? Buttering him up so you can ask a favor? Is it us liking the drummer’s beat and the artist? By no means! Praise is expressing out loud the respect and honor we have for our God. That we are willing to openly declare God’s greatness encourages others to see God in this light and honor Him as well. David danced with all his might! As a king! We can’t dance for a minute because of title! David was a king yet he praised with all his might – all his strength – he had no reservations, didn’t worry about what “others” would think. If we still care about what people think are we praising Him or seeking praise?

Praise also affects us. When we acknowledge God’s greatness, it strengthens our own faith. Praise is the language of faith. You do it even when things aren’t going so well. Ah I can’t get over this; “David danced with all his might!” It wasn’t just a dull lazy dance! The “Oh let me just move so l don’t look awkward to people,” He wanted to dance! He wasn’t forced by the worship leader to say ,”Come on move like this!” He set his entire being on praise and it is evident in the Psalms – men of praise will always be men of encounters. For how long will you be shy to praise?

Job

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship”
‭‭Job‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love Job. I have lost quite a lot in my life but never all at once. Job lost everything all at once! In one day! Selah. No like really really Selah. He woke up like any other day, had his plans, had no idea that a terrible wind was about to blow away everything he had known to be his normal life. Just like the hour prior you had no idea your mom was about to pass away? Just like you didn’t think you’d ever lose the job? Or the marriage? A few minutes to pain still looks so beautiful. Job didn’t even have a dream that he could cancel! He woke up to a new season just like that. I know they say men don’t cry or men are to always be strong and thug it out BUT let’s be real! How deep the scars can be that they create unhealthy men who can only respond by abuse or neglect. Job teaches us something. Worship is a commitment. It is a lifestyle. It’s like breathing. You don’t stop breathing because you lost money (unless you decide to commit suicide which is also wrong). Worship is who you are. Job heard all these things and didn’t say “Take me to all these places , let me investigate,” He went to God who could see his broken heart and he worshipped! Lord my heart is heavy but I won’t keep poking the scar – l will worship! What kind of man was Job? Why didn’t he sulk and go seek for “traditional help?”. He had a heart of worship. Join the hosts of heaven and worship Him!