We just wanted to remind the church family as we journey together to rediscover worship of our almighty God how important preparation is.
Remember on Sunday we are coming together before the God of the universe to honor Him.
To prepare yourself for Sunday the leaders and I are asking you to read a couple passages of scripture.
The first one is out of the Old Testament book of Leviticus – Leviticus 16. This passage talks about the Day of Atonement, all the preparation and the importance of being ready to enter the most holy place.
The second one is from the book of Psalms. Psalm 131 this is one of the “Songs of Ascents.” These Psalms (120 -134) were special songs that would be sung by the people on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festivals.
I think we can find three pre-requisites of worship that we should have…
Psalm 131 - A song of ascents by David.
“My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.”
1. A Spirit of Honest Humility
Psalm 131:1 – “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.”
Here David is expressing a very honest attitude of humility; “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty.” These are not words of false modesty; one that is pretending to be humble while having a prideful heart. David knows who he is and knows the God of all creation. He realizes his standing before almighty God.
Nor are these words of a person who sees himself or herself like a worm having no sense of human dignity. These are the words of one who has a good positive self image, who understands that his/her accomplishments, abilities and wisdom are all unimpressive in the presence of majesty. Another writer put it this way: “The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.“ (Psalm 147:6)
Check your pride at the door as you enter.
2. A sense of quiet expectation.
Psalm 131:2 – “But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
This is not a call for complacency, or inactivity; it is not a call to stop striving for excellence in life. In the context these words are speaking of living in the presences of Majesty, and of being in together with other worshipers. One needs to be rid of rage, anger, feelings of superiority, and significance. For in the presence of God there is not a need to strive, to push, to attempt to make yourself known.
The acts of worship are filled with sound (see Psalm 100), but within, the true worshiper has brought to God a sense of quiet, a childlike calmness when held their mother. The point is not silence but an inner reality that in God’s presence we have a quiet expectation.
Pray that God would give you what you need as you worship Him, and expect an answer.
3. A sense of confident hope.
This psalm concludes with the idea of having a confident hope in the living God.
Psalm 131:3 – “O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.”
The word hope is more than a shout to ward off desperation and much more than a symbol of luck. Biblical hope speaks of an inner confidence that the God of all of creation in His wisdom will provide deliverance to everyone who depend on and trust in Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Place your hope and trust in God and no other.
See you Sunday and remember to turn your clocks ahead on Saturday night.
