Daily Devotional for Tuesday, November 5

A Benediction upon Worshipers

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord,” Psalm 134:2.

Sometimes, how we arrive at a place is as important as the arrival itself. Mealtime comes to mind. When we eat out, sometimes we talk about the ambiance. Good food is great, but it is also nice if mealtime is an event that lasts. Who wants to just walk into a place, have food plopped before them, eat and leave? Sometimes, that might be appropriate; that is why fast food is a thing. But, if we dine on the higher end of the scale, the overall experience is important, as well as the actual plate you are served. Worship is somewhat like that. Of course, comparing anything to the worship of the Lord will never stack up; it is in a category by itself. But the analogy fits to an extent. In church service today, we sometimes see many artificial divisions. We talk about praise time, worship time and preaching time. I find this rather confusing. Is it not all about praising

and worshiping God? Is it not all done in order to worship God?

The Israelites got some things right. This psalm is the last song in the Songs of Ascents. A lot has happened as the Bible has moved through all of this. The important part is the realization that worship is not just a singular event but a lifestyle. Process is the wrong word, but it also fits. The arrival in God’s sanctuary ends in a crescendo of praise, with the people blessing the Lord and the Lord blessing the people.

What about you? What is worship to you? Is it your way in life, or is it something you sit through with gritted teeth so that you can get on with your life? Worship is not just part of your life; it should be your life!

JUST A THOUGHT
If you think about Sunday dinner more than your worship, your priorities are messed up.

Wally Fry