Worship and Bow Down

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)

I began my walk with Jesus thinking that worship was reserved for church in an organized service led by a music or worship minister. I have since come to understand that worship is really a matter and condition of the heart. In other words, I was placing restrictions on when or how I worshipped when that’s not how it’s supposed to be. I can be driving down the road and praising the Lord for any number of blessings I have received. I can be at work or at home, I don’t have to be sitting in a church pew.
The Lord has done so much for me, he deserves my praise and adulation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Even though it would be physically impossible for me to do that, does not take anything away from the fact that he deserves it. Maybe when I’m griping about having to get up for church on an occasional Sunday, I should try to remember that. He is the maker of all things. He made the universe, the planet I’m standing on and the DNA that makes me who I am. Why would I not want to give him his due every single day?
He should be our first thought as we wake up and our last thought before we sleep. He is our God and there is no other. He takes care of us just as a shepherd safeguards his flock. He only wants to give us peace in our hearts and a hope for eternity. He loves us even when we don’t deserve it without question or reason. We can do nothing to earn his love nor any good deed that will keep it. We are saved only by faith in Jesus Christ. With repentance and submission to his lordship we can then be symbolically cleansed in the waters of baptism and be raised up a new creation! 




Oh Lord God Almighty, we know you are worthy of all our praise. However, the busyness we allow to rule our lives occupies all of our attention. Forgive us when it seems we don’t appreciate you the way we should. We really do love you and want you to know that by our praise and worship. We try to follow our own course and almost always end up in some kind of trouble. When the predicaments of life bring us to our lowest point, Father, help us to remember we can bow before you at any time. Fill us with a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving. Remind us to express those feelings every day, even on the days we’re not feeling like it. You are the maker of all things, so give us a heart for praise. We are all like sheep in need of a shepherd to guide us to lush pastures. We are assured by our faith that your pastures are the lushest. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!
Location: Kendall, NY 14476, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devotional for May 12 - May 18

Image
To all my readers: I am changing this blog to a weekly format. I am being forced to do it this way because this blog site is saying my blog is too short to continue publishing. I purposely try to keep it short so you will have time to read it every day. I hope you will understand and keep reading. Thank you, Brad Hopkins May 12 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15) Meditation Before I was saved, I worked in a very competitive environment. Many of my co-workers were very jealous of the accomplishments of others. I have to confess; I too would get that green-eyed feeling if I didn’t get promoted when I thought I deserved it. Outwardly, I showed a happy face. I would congratulate the person who was recognized or promoted, but inwardly I was terribly envious. I received as many promotions as most in my career field, but I couldn’t rejoice for others because of jealousy and covetousness. I didn’t know how to deal with grief s...
Read more

Where is Your Citizenship?

Image
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20) Not long after I decided to follow Jesus I began to realize I didn’t really fit into my old life anymore. The things I used to think were great fun had lost their appeal. The sci-fi television programs and movies I used to always want to watch, seemed inappropriate. Probably because they were literally my religion before I got saved. My friends didn’t understand why I wasn’t coming around for most of the old activities. I guess I was in the process of figuring out where my citizenship was, heaven or hell. Now I understand, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am a citizen of heaven, I’m just a temporary visitor, to this world. My passage home to heaven has been paid for and guaranteed by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I live my life as a resident alien and look forward to the day I move on to my permanent and eternal residence. Jesus will rescue me and the rest...
Read more

Preach the Word

Image
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2) Meditation I used to think it was only the pastors job to preach the Word of God. I’m not a preacher, so it didn’t occur to me to share the gospel. However, this verse does not say, “Preachers, preach the word.” Whether you realize it or not, we are all ministers of the gospel. We have been charged with the awesome task of telling everyone about Jesus and why he went to the cross. When Jesus gave the “Great Commission,” to make disciples of all nations; he wasn’t just talking to his own disciples. He was speaking to every one of us. There is no other mission or calling more important than that for us. Even if we go to church every Sunday, but do nothing else, we’re not in the game; we’re just spectators. Jesus doesn’t want fans, he wants followers. Whether we’re in church or somewhere else, we’re responsible t...
Read more