03/29/2022
“He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel.” (1st Chronicles 16:4)
King David appointed Levites to lead in prayer, thanksgiving, and praise. A the heart of this chapter is thanksgiving. True worship of God issues froth from grateful hearts. Feelings such as bitterness, envy, hostility, and pride disqualify one from genuine worship. Thanksgiving opens up the door of the heart toward God in such a way that the individual is freed for true worship of God. Everywhere in Scripture this spirit of thanksgiving is revealed as vital to our worship experience.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY:
Precious Abba, You have given us the way to genuine worship and so today, we come before Your throne in thanksgiving for all of the blessings You have bestowed upon us in quantities too many to count; some big, some small, but all from Your desire to shower us with love. We also pray those who are suffering in body, mind, and/or spirit, with friends, family, for those we don’t know, especially the people in Ukraine, as they are fighting for their very lives. Amen
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
“Those who are good for making excuses are rarely good for anything else.”
KNOWING GOD:
“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground and they worshiped and gave hanks to the Lord, saying, ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’” (2nd Chronicles 7:3)
Thanksgiving and worship are inevitably bound together. Thanksgiving should be expressed from a position of humility and reverence. The worshipers here bowed their faces to the pavement leading to the Temple Worship (Hebrew – hishtachawah) means o bow down to pay homage or honor to a person with superior rank of position. The basic definition of worship includes giving homage o God because He is superior to us by nature.
I AM:
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
God’s people have abundant reasons to praise Him. Psalm 100 gives three reasons: 1) The Lord is God, He alone created the universe and is, therefore, Lord of creation; 2) God made us in His image. We are not our own makers; 3) God shepherds His people. He is involved intimately in he lives of His people and wants us to be intimately involved with Him. Thus, God’s people are a worshiping, praising community. Thanksgiving is a vital part of the community’s coming together in His house for study of His Word and worship.
2ND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
“Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)
Chief among the that “cannot be shaken” is God’s kingdom of love and righteousness, and integral part of the world He brought into being through His creative powers. As we are “thankful,” so we shall worship the Lord. The inheritance that belongs to Christians and the awesomeness of God make worship and grateful prayer logical actions. Always remember, “The material universe is not eternal, God’s kingdom is!”
Daily Meditation by Rev. Jerry 