Psalm 95-96 Praise, Worship, and Obedience

I liked what I read today about praise and worship:

“Praise means looking up … Our praise should be joyful and enthusiastic – He even commands us to shout – and wholly focused on the Lord … We should delight in praising Him.”

“Worship mean bowing down … bowing knees and submitting.  True worship is much deeper than communal praise, for worship involves realizing the awesomeness of God and experiencing the fear of the Lord and a deeper love for Him.  Too often Christian praise is nothing but religious entertainment and it never moves into spiritual enrichment in the presence of the Lord … Jubilation has its place only if it becomes adoration and we are prostrate before the Lord in total submission, lost in wonder, love, and praise.”

After praise and worship, we are to hear and obey the Lord.  “Hearing and heeding God’s Word must be central if our worship … is to be truly Christian.  It isn’t enough for God to hear my voice.  I must hear His voice as the Word of God is read, preached, and taught … We are to respond to God’s Word now, not just later in the week, when we review our sermon notes … How tragic when worshippers go home with full notebooks and empty hearts!”

Father, thank You for reminding me of this difference.  Help me to praise and worship You this week, to hear Your Word for me and to obey what You are telling me to do – not later, but immediately.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford