July 11
Read Psalms 92 -- 100
Worship is not a time set aside for receiving personal satisfaction or for the enjoyment of a sermon. Worship should be an active, heartfelt expression of prayer, praise, and adoration, demonstrating our esteem for our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the psalmist invites the faithful to sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation. . . . Let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture (Psalms 95:1,6-7). Singing with a heartfelt attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving is a vital part of worship. The word sing carries with it the thought of expressing great joy and devotion to our Lord.
Praise will lift worship beyond the level of personal needs to the higher plane of love and adoration as we glorify the Heavenly Father, our precious Savior Jesus Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. A "self-centered" person assumes the "worship" service was meant for his personal satisfaction. Consequently, we hear such people say: "I didn't get much out of the service." The reason is clear -- they didn't put much into it.
Think of all our Lord has done for you, in you, and with you, and all He has promised to you for all eternity and you cannot help but worship Him, saying: Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift (II Corinthians 9:15).
Some Christians lack spiritual fulfillment because they reflect the mood and attitude of unbelievers when confronted with adverse circumstances, such as the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a divorce, the betrayal of a friend, or some other painful experience. When we become unhappy and dissatisfied, we not only deprive ourselves of the joy of an abundant, peaceful life, but are no longer able to declare His glory . . . among all people (Psalms 96:3). It is our privilege to let others know what a wonderful God we serve. Ingratitude is an insult to the Lord, a refusal to give to the Lord the glory due His Name (96:8).
There is no mention of exceptions to the psalmist's call to praise our wonderful Savior, Shepherd, and Provider. Every day is the day to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (100:1). Joyful singing honors our Great King and leads the believer into wholehearted service and worship of the Lord. All who are in submission to the Lord consider it a privilege to serve the Lord with gladness: (and) come before His presence with singing (100:2). This should be the Christian's way of life. It is He that has made us . . . we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture (100:3).
Whatever the circumstances, we can allow ourselves to be miserable and find fault, questioning the love of God, or we can choose to serve the Lord with gladness. Our gladness will be in direct proportion to our faith in His unfailing presence and promises. The Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations (Psalms 100:5).
Christ Revealed: As the Creator -- It is He that has made us (Psalms 100:3; compare John 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
Word Studies: 92:6 brutish means without regard to reason or propriety; 93:5 becometh means distinguishes; 94:20 throne of iniquity means workers of evil; frameth means devises; 95:7 of His hand means under His care; 99:3 terrible means Holy, awesome.
Prayer:
Government Officials: Gov. Mike Foster (LA) and Rep. Edward Markey (MA) · BPM Staff: Barbara Ann Bivens · Pray for Eagles Nest Ministries/Love Packages and Steven Schmidt, Founder/Director · Country: Papua New Guinea (5 million) in the southwestern Pacific · Major languages: 715 indigenous languages · Religious freedom · 64% Protestant; 33% Roman Catholic; 2% ancestor worship, belief in spirits, and witchcraft · Prayer Suggestion: Ask, seek, and knock through prayer, knowing God promises to answer (Matthew 7:7-8).
Optional Reading: I Timothy 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Hebrews 9:14