July 27 devotional

Scriptures

1 Chronicles 20:21-22 “After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever! At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.”

Observation

This is a great passage about praise and worship. The first thing I notice is the focus of praise and worship. Worship has been reduced to a feel good moment. It has become self centered. It is about God blessing us. It is about what music I like. It is a feel good moment. Worship is really none of that. Worship is not about me and it is not about you. It is about God. In 1 Chronicles they sang to the Lord and praised His name. The focus was on God. They ministered and blessed God with their singing. It was all about him.

The second thing I notice is the power of praise and worship. When the Israelites worshiped God, he fought for them. It was an act of warfare. God caused Israel’s enemies to turn on themselves. God gave Israel a great victory that day. When we focus on God in our worship and minister to him, it is spiritual warfare. God gives us victory and blessing. When I minister to God in worship, God fights on my behalf.

I really believe worship is vital in our services. It is difficult to preach when the worship service is dry or dead. But when the spirit moves in worship, it opens up the heavens and preaching is easy. The gifts of the spirit flow. Signs and wonders happen. Worship can create an atmosphere that allows the Holy Spirit freedom to minister.

Application

I must focus on God in worship. It is not about me and what I like or what I feel. My priority is to minister to God. I want to serve Him in worship. I want to bless Him in my praise. David said bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. David ministered to God in his worship. My focus is on Jesus.

When I worship I expect God to respond. I expect God to bring me victory in the spiritual realm. God creates an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself. When I focus on God in my worship, God will make Himself known. He will reveal himself.

Prayer

Father, I ask your forgiveness for the times I made worship about me and my likes or dislikes. It is not about me. Worship is all about you.