Come into his presence with singing!

 

READ 2 Chronicles 5–8

Moving many times means experiencing many churches. In most of those we attended, a few people always arrive late to the worship service. Many completely miss the music. Do they realize what they are missing?

Today’s reading says:

And when the priests came out of the Holy Place . . .  and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:11–14)

Modern worship services differ. Some lack in enthusiasm. Some are physically exuberant. Some are deeply reverent and solemn. Others are filled with praise and the presence of the Lord is strongly felt. A huge part of that positive and praise-filled service is the music. It sets participants up to hear God speaking to them, lifting their spirits and assuring them of His great love. Missing the music means coming in cold and often leaving the same way.

Missing church entirely means missing even more. While we have been in ‘dead’ services that did not honor God, the ideal is out there. Many congregations are ‘alive’ and growing, vibrant and excited about the love of God and expressing their faith in Him. If any church was not like that, we found another one.

There is idealism in this OT worship service. The temple was rebuilt. The people were excited as their spiritual lives were being restored. Not only that, they were hearing words of affirmation and blessing, such as:

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart . . . . But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you, that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.” (6:14–21)

Besides assurance of forgiveness, Solomon prayed before the people about God’s justice to vindicate the righteous, and if they experienced troubles like enemy attacks, no rain, famine, pestilence, plague, sickness, sorrows, and trials because of their sin, then if “they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them” then God would hear their cries.

How important to hear this gospel message of grace. To this day, the congregations of the world come to worship services not only to hear God speak to them, but to hear truth that is needed in everyday life. We all sin. We all experience trouble. We all need to be reminded of the grace and goodness of God.

In that ancient worship service, as soon as Solomon finished his prayer, “fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.’ ” (7:1–3) A powerful worship service recharges and changes the people of God.

Building a new facility is exciting. Filling it with beauty points to the beauty of God. But being there is when the interaction happens. We praise God and experience His presence and His great joy (Psalm 16:11). We hear God speak. We are filled with peace as the reminders of His grace and love bless us. We repent of sin and know again the wonder of forgiveness. Yes, we can watch church on the Internet, but it is nothing like being there.

Lord, I am so thankful for freedom to worship with the people of God, in music, prayers, biblical messages, in giving our offerings, and in the hugs and blessings from all who love You as we glorify You in our midst.