Saturday 28 December 2019

Worship the Lord with reverence - and joy ...

Nehemiah 7:4-8:18; Revelation 18:17b-19:10; Psalm 148:1-6 
We are called to “worship God” (Revelation 19:10). Our worship is to be with reverence and joy. “Be still: “This is the call for reverence (Nehemiah 8:11). Alongside this reverence, there is to be joy: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). We are to “rejoice” in the Lord (Revelation 18:20). This joy is not a superficial emotion. It is accompanied by the reverence which comes from taking seriously the “woe” that is pronounced on the “great city” that lives for this world only (Revelation 18:19). Joyful worship arises from “a great multitude in heaven” (Revelation 19:1). Four times, in Revelation 19, we read, “Hallelujah!” (Revelation 19:1,3,4,6). “Hallelujah” means ‘Praise the Lord.’ Our praise is to be characterized by joy: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!” (Revelation 19:7). This joy is grounded in an awe-inspiring face: “Our Lord God Almighty reigns” (Revelation 19:6). “Praise the Lord”: These are the first words and the message of Psalm 148. The ‘choir’ which praises the Lord is truly astonishing (Psalm 148:1-4). Our song of praise participates in the song of praise which arises from God’s whole creation. This inspires us to worship Him, more truly and more fully.
From my One Year Bible

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