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Worship: A place of give and take – Part 4

By Austen C. Ukachi
06 August 2017   |   4:07 am
We can learn a lot of lessons from David, when it comes to worship. The Shepherd King had a reputation of being one of the greatest worshippers that ever lived.

Austen C. Ukachi

We can learn a lot of lessons from David, when it comes to worship. The Shepherd King had a reputation of being one of the greatest worshippers that ever lived. He did not only worship God, but he also wrote songs and introduced the use of musical equipment in the worship of God. David also established a system for daily worship in Israel. He appointed Levites to various tasks that were to minister daily to God in the temple. He dedicated 288 Levites, “who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the LORD” (1 Chro.25: 3). These took their turns through a lot of system on who should lead worship in the presence of God. In addition to his innovations in worship, he also appointed gatekeepers, who kept watch over the temple of God to ensure that the sanctity of God’s ark was kept.

From his rich experience in worship, David teaches us that the purpose of worship is not only to receive from God, but we can also give something in exchange to God. Worship is a place of exchange; we give to God, just as we receive blessings from Him. David writes in his song of thanksgiving thus, “Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering, and come before him, Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (1 Chro.16: 28-29).

David teaches us in these words what worship is all about. In worship, we give glory, strength and our offerings to God. Earlier in verse 9 of the same chapter, David had declared, “Sing to him, sing psalms to him, and talk of all his wondrous works.” In these words, David conveys to us the ingredients of true worship. In worship, we ascribe to God the glory due His name, we ascribe strength, we bring offerings to Him and we sing about all His wondrous works. We give glory and strength to God through our words of praise and thanksgiving, as we acknowledge Him in our prayer.

David further counsels us that when we approach God, we should do so in holiness, “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Holiness is the very essence and nature of God; it is the aura that surrounds His throne. Isaiah declares that the holy nature of God is what the angels constantly re-echo to one another (Isa.6: 1). On his part, John the beloved, affirms that the holiness of God is the ceaseless cry of the four living creatures in heaven (Rev.4:8).

David’s words in 1 Chronicles 16:28,29 is in agreement with the words of John in Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy to receive glory and honour and power; for you have created all things, and by your will, they exist and were created.” John also wrote similar words in Rev. 5:12, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessings.”

No one is in a better position to counsel us on worship than David. He did not just theorise on worship, but was also a practitioner of worship. Worship for him was a daily lifestyle. As he declared, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

Worship is a time we extol the worthiness of God; we also ascribe to Him praise, power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessings. May we begin to do so now! Contact: pastoracukachi@gmail.com

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