Read Psalm 99.
Singing has always been a part of worship. The psalmist wanted everyone to understand to Whom they were singing. This was not a casual chorus but praise for the One called great and awesome.
1. The LORD is to be feared. (vv.1-3)
To fear God means much more than reverential respect. Here, the very thought of the holy LORD on His throne should cause the people to tremble and the earth to quake. What a contrast to what most people experience in worship! Usually, God has to scare us to near death before we tremble before Him.
2. The LORD sits in the seat of judgment. (vv.4-5)
If someone were to ask what two things does God loves, how many would respond with justice and equity? But this One in heaven is concerned with the statutes of behavior He has prescribed. He watches the processes and procedures of how decisions are made. He loves it when matters are handled rightly and evenly. His holiness will not tolerated wrongdoing by anyone.
3. The LORD hears the prayers of obedient believers. (vv.6-9)
Notice what preceded their prayers. God spoke. "They kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them." They prayed. God answered. Knowing God's word and obeying it are precursors to asking Him for anything. Disobedience requires repentance and forgiveness. Experiencing God's forgiveness allows us to forgive those who sin against us.
There is nothing like a clean heart to move us to correctly worship our holy God.
No comments:
Post a Comment