Priority Worship

An Invitation to Worship in His Presence

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! – Psalm 95:1 (ESV)

A couple found political asylum in this country during the Second World War. They came from Eastern or Central Europe, and they were not well-versed in American culture. One day they received an invitation to a wedding, and at the bottom of the invitation were those cryptic letters: RSVP. In his thick, Eastern European accent, the husband said, “Vife, vat does it mean: RSVP? ” So they thought for a while, until inspiration dawned, and the husband said, “Vife, I know vat it means: Remember Send Vedding Presents.”

They made a mistake by imagining that the message was a demand when, in reality, it was an invitation. Unfortunately, there are many people who make the same mistake about Jesus Christ and the gospel. They think it is a demand when in reality it is an offer—a free invitation. (Preaching Today)

In Psalm 95 the psalmist is inviting his readers into the presence of God. The psalmist writes three times in ten verses “Oh come.” The word here rendered come, means properly “go;” but it is used here, as it often is, as a formula of invitation, in calling on others to share in what is done by the speaker. (Barnes) Anytime, someone is in the presence of God the only appropriate response is to worship.

Reflection

When do remember first sensing God’s Spirit inviting you into a relationship with Jesus? What is one of the most powerful times of worship you have experienced?

Praise/Prayer

Thank God for inviting you into a relationship with Him. Ask God to lead you to someone you can invite to worship with our Second Family.

Enter Into God’s Presence with the Correct Praise

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. – Psalm 95:2-5 (ESV)

A man visited a very formal church one Sunday. He said that right in the middle of the service a guy had a heart attack and died. However, the church was so dead, the ushers carried out five guys before they found the right one.

The words used to describe worship in Psalm 95 describe an activity that seems more appropriate in a football stadium than in a church “sanctuary.” The psalmist writes, “Let us make a joyful noise.” The word used here means commonly to make a loud noise or to shout a victory cry. They are praising God with joy and gratitude because He is the Almighty God and Creator of the universe. They have seen His power at work and it has moved them to worship.

Reflection

How have you seen God’s power at work this week? What’s your favorite way to show God praise?

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for your favorite part of His Creation. Ask God to help you be more expressive with your praise and worship publicly and privately.

Enter Into God’s Presence with the Correct Posture

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. – Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV)

A woman was dying and one of her children asked, “Mama are you afraid of meeting God?” The old lady spoke with labored breath and replied, “No, I’m much too well dressed for that.” What did she mean by that statement? That lady meant that she had the robe of righteousness that God supplied in His Son, Jesus Christ. She was ready to meet God – not because of her robe but because of His robe – the one He provides to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. (Source Unknown)

The only way anyone can come into the presence of God is by the mercy and grace of God and to be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. The only appropriate posture is one of humility and gratitude when you are in the presence of God. The psalmist posture of worship in Psalm 95 was to “bow down” and to “kneel.” Both of those were positions of humility. The word “worship” also means to bow down. The psalmist makes clear that it’s a humbling privilege to be in God’s presence.

Reflection

Why do you think the psalmist was so adamant about bowing before God? When was the last time you knelt to worship God and should your posture matter?

Praise/Prayer

Take time to kneel privately before God today as you worship Him. Confess His greatness and your gratitude for the grace that allows you to come into His presence.

Enter Into God’s Presence with the Correct Passion

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. – Psalm 95:7-9 (ESV)

Rejected invitations can be very costly. For example, years ago Google offered $200 million dollars for a company called DIGG, which the owners of DIGG turned down. That was a big mistake for DIGG, because they later sold the company for a mere $500 thousand dollars, losing $199 million, five-hundred thousand dollars in the process. That happened due to the rejection of an invitation to sell the company to Google. Rejected invitations can be huge mistakes! (Mike Minnix)

In Psalm 95:7 the psalmist warns his readers of the dangers of rejecting God’s invitation to live for Him. The psalmist reminds them that God is not obligated to speak to them and if He does you shouldn’t test God by being disobedient to the Words He gives you.  He cites the example of Israel rejecting God and being forced to spend the next 40 years in the wilderness and not seeing the promised land.

Reflection

Rejecting God is a heart issue. Worshipping God is a heart issue. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Can you think of anything God is asking you to do that you have disobeyed? How is that related to your heart?

Praise/Prayer

Thank God for the times He has spoken to your heart. Ask God to grow your passion for Him and for worship

A Wedding Invitation

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” – Revelation 19:9-10 (ESV)

A little girl was attending a wedding for the first time. She whispered to her mother, “Why is the bride dressed in white?” Her mother replied: “Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.” The child thought about this for a moment, then said, “So why’s the groom wearing black?”

The marriage supper of the Lamb will be one of the happiest days in the life of Christians. Those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb are blessed because the supper will take place in the kingdom of God. Attendance at the supper is equivalent to finding entry into the kingdom of God. The events John sees, the glory of the angel, and the desire for John to worship are such that he is apparently overcome. Even though he wasn’t supposed to worship the angel he is still led to worship at the revelation of God and the angel reminds him to “worship God.”

Reflection

Heaven will be a perfect version of what God intended for humanity. The marriage supper of the Lamb will be just the beginning. What do you most look forward to about heaven? Have you accepted God’s invitation to be there through a relationship with Jesus?

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for the picture of heaven is like a perfect wedding. Ask God to show you how He wants you to prepare for that day.