The joyful call to worship!

This psalm by Ethan the Ezrahite is rich with deep thoughts and great truths about God.  It also includes amazing pictures of Jesus and God’s plan to redeem the world through Him.  There is a sense as you read this psalm that Ethan is excited about God; he has experienced something very personal and special and this psalm is an outburst of praise.

Humans were created to worship God.  If we don’t worship God, we will find something or someone else to worship.  Humans must worship.  Ethan gives us a sense that we are being called by God to worship Him.  The Holy Spirit calls us into worship of our Creator God.  Our verse tells us that this call to worship is a ‘joyful’ call.  And then it tells us that those that hear it are happy.  Worshipping God is not a difficult thing.  In fact, worshipping God should make us happy.

As a pastor I have often wondered why people come to church.  I have seen people that come to church as though they are going to the dentist for a root canal.  It grieves me to see them come that way because I know they are missing the true meaning of what it means to gather as God’s people in worship.  I also know that they are missing the happiness that comes with worshipping God in all facets of their life.

It is the second half of this verse that might explain why some people struggle going to church and worshipping God with abandon.  It says that we will walk in the light of His presence.  The problem with walking in the light is that it reveals the areas of darkness in our lives.  People don’t like the idea that God can see the darkness of their hearts and so they avoid or resist being in places they think God can see them more clearly.  They are just kidding themselves, God can see their darkness wherever they are; they just don’t feel as guilty about it when they are not where God is worshipped.

The longer I walk with the Lord, the more I enjoy being in His presence.  Yes, I know He can see the darkness in my life, but that doesn’t bother me like it used to.  I know He loves me regardless of the darkness, and I rest in the fact that through the power of the Holy Spirit He is going to help me get rid of the things I struggle with.  God is good, and it fills me with joy to be in His presence.  I look forward to those times when I can gather together with God’s people to worship the God who loves me.  I am learning to worship Him wherever I am, and that allows me to experience the joy of His presence more often.  After all, someday I will be in His presence for the rest of eternity.  Jesus, teach me to walk in Your light.

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 35:1-36:32; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 25:25-27