Instruction in Worship
1 Chronicles 16: 23-29
This was a special time in the history of Israel. David had been anointed king over all of Israel and was ruling on the throne. God had given them victory over the Philistines and preparations were being made to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. It had been absent from the tabernacle for over twenty years. The Philistines had taken the ark, and because of the judgment of God, they placed the ark on a new cart and it came to Beth-shemesh where it remained in the house of Abinadab for twenty years. As they were bringing the ark to Jerusalem, Uzza put forth his hand to steady the ark and was killed of God. The ark was taken to the house of Obed-edom where it had remained for another three months. David pitched a tent and the ark was finally returned to Jerusalem.
It is during this time of rejoicing and national reflection that David gave the people specific instruction concerning worship. The principles that David knew and shared with Israel have not changed. These principles still apply to our lives as well. I believe that many are ill-informed concerning worship because they have never received biblical instruction regarding worship.
As we examine the principles revealed in our text, I want to consider: Instruction in Worship.
I. The Fundamentals of Worship (23-24) – These fundamentals of worship remain. We discover:
A. Worship is Vocal (23a) – Sing unto the LORD. David declared a vital part of worship involved singing unto the Lord. Worship ought to be vocal. God knows our hearts, but we ought to offer the praise of our lips.
We seem to have gotten away from vocal praise unto the Lord. We have no problem with folks being vocal when they get hurt or angry, or when they are proud of their children, but many take offense when someone gets vocal in worship. Has God not been good to you? If so, praise Him. Psalm 42:4 – When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalm 81:1 – Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
B. Worship is Personal (23b) – Sing unto the LORD, all the earth. We need to be reminded that worship is a personal experience. All of the earth is to worship the Lord. That includes you and me. Each of us is responsible to worship the Lord. I can rejoice for His blessing in your life, but I can’t worship God for you. You are responsible for your worship!
C. Worship is Continual (23c) – shew forth from day to day his salvation. There was not a day that Israel should fail to worship God. They were to show forth His salvation from day to day. I have no doubt that God was good yesterday. He blessed us beyond measure. He was worthy of our worship and praise. He has also been good to us today. There may be problems that we face, but God is good. He saved my unworthy soul. He has given me much more than I deserve. There isn’t a day that I live that I can’t find reason to worship the Lord.
We are to worship continually. Many are content to worship just once a week, if that. They may come on Sunday morning under the pretense of worship, but never engage in real worship. He is worthy of our worship every day, in fact every moment we live.
D. Worship is Universal (24) – Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. The ark was being brought back to Jerusalem, but worship was not to be reserved for the Tabernacle alone. Israel was to declare God’s glory among the heathen and all nations.
A double standard often exists in much of life. What is expected of some isn’t of others. Things may be done one way today and a different way tomorrow. There is no double standard when it comes to worship. There are no exceptions or exemptions. We are to worship God wherever and whenever. His blessings aren’t reserved for specific places!
Many have a distorted view that worship is reserved for the house of God. This is a place of worship and it is expected here, but we are to worship God even among the world. Worship should consume our lives and our existence.
II. The Foundation of Worship (25-27) – Here David lays the foundation for worship. He is reminded of the awesome God he serves. The Lord is to be the foundation for our worship. He is the focal point of all worship. He is:
A. A God of Greatness (25a) – David reminded the people of the greatness of God. He had brought them into an abundant land. He had given them victory over their enemies. No doubt David remembered the greatness of God in his life. Surely a God like that is greatly to be praised.
Where would we be today were it not for the Lord? Has He not worked mightily in your life? Is He not a great and awesome God? Keep in mind that worship is our heart becoming consumed with the Lord. He has become our focus and desire. When we are consumed with our God, we will praise and worship Him. Ex.15:11 – Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? God is great and mighty!
B. A God of Holiness (25b) – he also is to be feared above all gods. David reminded them to fear the Lord. There are none like Him. He is to be feared, reverenced and adored. The people were to honor the Lord and stand in awe of Him.
Worship requires fear of the Lord. We are to come before Him with an attitude of reverence and honor. We are to see Him for who He is. We serve a God of holiness. There are none like Him! Psalm 89:7 – God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Few in our day fully understand the holiness of God. He is so holy that man cannot look upon Him and live. Those who entered His presence fell upon their faces in holy fear. The angels declare His holiness. They worship the holy One. If we could comprehend the holiness of God, it would transform our lives. It would transform our worship. It would transform our entire being. We serve a God of holiness!
C. A God of Self-existence (26) – For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. David had experienced the gods of other nations. He had seen the idols made of man. He had witnessed their worship to no avail. David served the God who made the heavens. He was the God who gave victory over the giant. This is Jehovah God, the self-existent One.
I rejoice that I serve the self-existent Lord. There is nothing our God can’t handle. He is the One who hung the stars in place. He breathed life into man and made him a living soul. The saved have unlimited access to His throne and we need not fear that God would ever cease to exist. He will never have to seek the help of another. He is able to perform whatever He pleases.
D. A God of Graciousness (27) – Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. God is One whose presence is filled with glory and honor. He is Lord of strength and gladness. Our feeble minds can’t begin to comprehend all that God is. David was consumed with the splendor and majesty of God. There are none that compare to Him.
As I ponder all that God is, I am amazed that He desires fellowship with us. I stand amazed that God would send His only Son to die upon the cross for your sins and mine. He has even prepared a place in heaven for us that we might dwell with Him for all eternity. We have been made the children of God through His grace and mercy. Aren’t you glad that He is a God of graciousness? It was His grace that provided our redemption. Psalm 144:3 – LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
III. The Fulfillment of Worship (28-29) – Notice the means of fulfillment David spoke of:
A. Submission – Three times in these two verses David encourages the people to give unto the LORD. He is reminding them once again of their personal obligation to worship the Lord. This requires a heart of submission that desires to serve the Lord and honor Him through worship.
I can’t worship for you and I can’t force you to worship. It will be achieved through a humble, submissive heart with a genuine desire to give unto God.
B. Sensitivity (29a) – Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name. We have spent much time considering the fundamentals and foundation of worship. We have been reminded of God’s goodness and glory. He is worthy of our praise. We are to give Him the glory that He is due. What could we possibly offer the Lord? What could I give Him for all He has given me? All I have to offer is the glory that He is due. I have no glory in myself, but I can honor Him through my worship. We need to have a sensitive heart that is willing to offer Him that glory through worship.
C. Sacrifice (29b) – Bring an offering and come before Him. Genuine worship requires a sacrifice on our part. We must bring that offering of praise unto the Lord. Heb.13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. He desires and deserves that we empty ourselves before Him. Worship will cost us something. We must be willing to get beyond ourselves and worship God. He must be the priority. I pray our focus and desire today is to worship the Lord. Are we willing to make that sacrifice?
D. Sanctification (29c) – Lastly David reveals an interesting thought. Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. This could be translated in the adornment of sacredness or being set apart. God requires that worship be offered in the beauty of holiness. We must be set apart. Our lives must be sanctified before Him.
It is impossible to worship the Lord with sin in our lives. If we come to the house of God with unconfessed sin, we will not be able to worship. Just being here doesn’t constitute worship. God demands a pure heart if we are to worship. I want to have a clean heart so that I might be able to worship Him and give Him the glory He is due. If we haven’t worshipped, then we have wasted our time. We have met to worship.
Conclusion: We have looked at the biblical instruction for worship. Are you where you ought to be so you can genuinely worship? Are you offering worship that agrees with God’s Word? I pray we as a people will better understand and participate in biblical worship. Is there a need? If so, bring that need unto the Lord.
