Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Ready to Worship Season 5, Episode 9 for Friday, March 24, 2017
Have you ever imagined what it would have been like to have entered into the courts of a powerful king? A few men and women in the Bible knew that honor – Joseph, Moses, David, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, and Paul, to name a few. If you are familiar with their stories, then you know what a serious and solemn privilege it was for them to appear before a king. Life and death often hung in the balance – just ask Esther and Nehemiah and David and Daniel. Very specific protocols had to be followed by them in appearing before the king. Although we will likely never enter into the courts of an earthly king, we have the far greater privilege of entering into the courts of a heavenly King.
Transcript
Have you ever imagined what it would have been like to have entered into the courts of a powerful king? A few men and women in the Bible knew that honor – Joseph, Moses, David, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, and Paul, to name a few. If you are familiar with their stories, then you know what a serious and solemn privilege it was for them to appear before a king. Life and death often hung in the balance – just ask Esther and Nehemiah and David and Daniel. Very specific protocols had to be followed by them in appearing before him.
Although we will likely never enter into the courts of an earthly king, we have the far greater privilege of entering into the courts of a heavenly King. In the Ninety-Sixth Psalm, David paints this scene for us: “O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared before all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth” (Psa. 96: 1-9) Did you catch the reference to bringing an offering and coming “into his courts?”
Did you catch the command to worship Him in holiness and fear? It is a serious and solemn privilege to enter into the courts of God. Very specific protocols have to be followed. Perhaps, Esther comes to mind when we think of protocols, beauty, and fear. As you recall, she adorned herself, fearfully appeared before the king, and made her request.
In the One Hundredth Psalm, David wrote, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Did you notice the thanksgiving and the joy with which we are to appear before God? No doubt, this reminds us of Nehemiah. As you recall, he had never before been sad in the king’s presence. He knew that those who served the king were to come before him with joy.
As we get ready to worship this week, we need to remember that we are entering into the courts of a heavenly King. We must follow the specific pattern that God has given in His word. We must approach him with joy, thankfulness, holiness, and fear.
Links
Your Feedback
- Email: mail@thelightnetwork.tv
- Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)
- If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. Doing so helps us spread the word about the show! Thank you!
Subscription Links
