Pastoral Musings

Image via Wikipedia

Praise is a prevalent thing in the Psalms, which is not surprising. Psalm 50:1-23;53:6;57:7-11;69:30-36 call on us to praise YHWH, because He is glorious and worthy.

Psalm 74:1-23 is a prayer for help that is based upon faith in YHWH being Creator, and thus omnipotent. This continues the theme of creation and YHWH as the one true God.

In Psalm 79:9 there is a prayer for deliverance so that YHWH would be glorified. Exodus 9:16;33:18-20;34:1-7;Numbers 14:21

Psalm 81:8-16 is a diatribe against idolatry that reminds us the YHWH is the one true God.

Psalm 81:9-10 reminds Israel that YHWH proved Himself the one true God in the Exodus, thus they should pray to Him.

Psalm 81:13-16 reminds Israel that, if they would worship YHWH, they would continue to experience blessing.

A post-exilic Psalmist writes about the covenant with David in Psalm 89:1-52 (cf 2Samuel 7:1-26). He writes of the glory of YHWH, who made the covenant with David, that the Davidic covenant is eternal, and prays to YHWH because Israel forsook Him and are longing to experience the joys of the fulfilled Davidic covenant.

Psalm 95:1-11 returns to the refrain that the one true God who created all things should be worshiped.

Psalm 96:5 returns to the proclamation that YHWH is the one true God.

Psalm 106:1-8 shows that Israel sinned, but YHWH saved them for the glory of His name. Based upon YHWH’s passion for His glory, the Psalmist prays for deliverance that Israel may once again praise Him.

The Psalmist once again declares YHWH’s passion for His glory in all that He does. Psalm 111:1-4

Psalm 115:1-3 continues the theme of the exaltation of YHWH in His independence and sovereignty as the one true God.

Psalm 128:1-6 presents to us the blessing once again.

Once again we meet YHWH in song as the one true God, Creator, and deliverer. Psalm 135:5-13

Psalm 148:1-14 is a call to worship YHWH, the one true God, Creator, and Sustainer of all.

Related articles

• The Unity of The Bible: The Chronicles (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: The Books of The Kings (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Judges – Ruth (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Joshua (pastoralmusings.com)

Image via Wikipedia

Academic study of the Bible is rewarding for the believer.  Devotional study is the aim, however.

Let me state that devotional study is not reading a verse, or a chapter daily.  Neither is it reading comments on the Scripture that are written by some “authority”.  These may be good in their place, but that is not devotional study of the Bible.

Devotional study of the Bible is that which directs our hearts and minds toward knowing and loving God more and more.  This, Paul says, is what happens when we go to the Scriptures:

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

As we see the glory of Christ in His Word, we are changed to be like Him.

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s Christians often focus on good feelings.  It seems that many think they have not experienced worship unless they have some sort of good feeling.  Is this how we should be?  Should every meeting with God’s people be a hand waving, hand clapping, shouting, laughing event?

Oh, I know, we are commanded to rejoice.  In fact, I love to read Deuteronomy 26:1-11 where the command is to worship and rejoice.  That resonates with me.   I also read that terrible things are threatened if we do not rejoice in the LORD cf Deuteronomy 28:47-48;Psalm 2:10-12.  There is no doubt that our worship should have a component of joy, and that joy should be a huge part of our worship.

The question I ask first of all is this: Is joy all there is to worship?  Scripture responds with a resounding “NO!”  Paul spoke of being sorrowful and rejoicing ( 2Corinthians 6:10 ).  Joshua commanded Achan to worship God (give glory to Him) by confessing his sin ( Joshua 7:19  ).   Worship includes much more than joy.

Worship includes prayer; or should I say that prayer is worship?  Either way that it is put, there is much truth in the statement.  The first mention of worship is found in Genesis 4:26.  The King James Version tells us that men began to call upon the name of the LORD.  The New Living Translation tells us that men began to worship the LORD by name.  We know, too, that prayer is not always an occasion of joy.  Sometimes prayer is filled with heartbreak and bitter tears.

Both Abraham and Job show us examples of worship in which joy is not seen as clearly as faith in the midst of agony is.

In Genesis 22:1-19 Abraham is called to give Isaac, his son, as a burnt sacrifice in worship to God.  Abraham faithfully obeys and is rewarded both with his son and more promises.  As I put my precious four year old son to bed each night, feel his arms wrapped around my neck, and hear him say, “I wuv you, Daddy”, I can tell you that it makes me take Abraham’s worship much more seriously.  In fact, I am now thinking of worship in general much more seriously.  After all, I cannot imagine having to give him up.  I cannot imagine the faith it would take in the worth and love of God for someone to give up his son.  Abraham’s worship makes many lukewarm Baptist song service look not only anemic, but dead when held in contrast with each other.

And Job?  What can be said about him?  His loss was great, yet his worship was equal to the loss.  In a short span of time he lost all that he had.  The only things left were the bearers of bad tidings and his wife, who told him to give up.  In spite of losing all of his goods and his family, Job worshiped declaring that God had given him all that he had, and that God had taken it all away.  He then said, “Praise the name of God.”  ( Job 1:1-2:10 ).  Job worshiped because he knew that God was more powerful than the forces that took away his possessions and his family.  Job worshiped because he knew that God was sovereign and wise in His doings.  He worshiped because he knew that God was trustworthy.  This is why he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. ” (Job 13:15)

Then there’s Habakkuk, the guy with the weird name.  His worship was a mingling of anticipation, hard times, grief, and joy.  He said, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. ” (Habakkuk 3:17–19)

If we worship we cannot afford to neglect the fact that there will be difficulties and heartaches in life.  The only true worship is that which takes into consideration the realities of life, the sovereign goodness and wisdom of God, and our need to trust Him even when we are weeping.  It is then that true joy is experienced: the joy that comes from the confidence in the continued goodness of God even when we have no idea what pain may hit us next.  This joy is deep, abiding, and strong.  It is worship, because it exalts the worth of God as one who is all mighty, all wise, merciful, loving, gracious, and faithful.