Devotional - July 13, 2004

David recognized the return of the ark to Jerusalem as God's glory returning to His people. So he arranged for singers to be ready, priests to be prepared and Levites set to carry it back to the Temple where it belonged. His steps of preparation prove a perfect illustration of the proper way to worship.

Pray - Give thanks to the Lord (1Chr 16:8a)
Witness - Make known among the nations what he has done (Vs 8b)
Praise - Sing to him, sing praise to him (Vs. 9)
Be joyful - Glory in His Name (Vs. 10)
Depend on Him - Look to the Lord and His strength (Vs. 11)
Reflect - Remember the wonders he has done (Vs. 12)
Focus - Keep your eyes on His promises (Vs. 18)
Give God the glory - Declare his glory among the nations (Vs. 24)
Give - Bring an offering (Vs. 29b)
Give thanks - Give thanks to your holy name (Vs. 35)

Do you have a spirit of anticipation for worship similar to what David demonstrated? His worship was public even though his praise might have been private. For example, he danced in front of the ark as it entered the city and it moved some to think him worshipful and others to think him amusing or even disgusting. He was so caught up in his praise, he cared not what others thought.

Some of us find the most moving time of worship as the time we are together with other believers in church. But our Lord found the most moving worship experience in solitary places and not the synagogue. While Hebrews tells us that we should not forsake our assembling together as believers (Vs 10:25), following our Lord's example should move us to spend our primary worship time alone with the Lord.

Jesus found preaching was preferred the activity in public, but spent the most time praying in private. Doing that, he was prepared to worship when he got around other believers. May we learn from His example.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 1 Ch. 15:1-16:36 Rm. 1:18-32 Ps. 10:1-15 Pr. 19:6-7 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society