“O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:9)
Private and public worship is something that stirs my heart today. Do we understand the longings of our Father as it pertains to worship? Do we consider His desires as a priority as opposed to what makes ‘us’ feel good or what is most convenient for us?
It occurs to me that much money is spent on creating a beautiful physical sanctuary or temple where God’s people congregate for the purpose of worship. But God finds beauty in holiness – in a heart submitted to Him, a heart following hard after Him, a heart that is steadfast and eagerly seeking Him day after day, night after night, even in the midnight hour!
How is it possible to worship Him in the beauty of holiness if we only worship God in public? Have we not turned the physical sanctuary or temple into the place where God dwells? But then, can we expect flames of our worship of God to burn brightly in the physical temple when our hearts are cold and indifferent, barely warming the embers in private and secret worship the other six days of the week?
Let’s ask ourselves another question: Does our private and secret worship in the beauty of holiness satisfy us? Better yet, does it satisfy God’s longing for intimacy with us? Geoffrey Thomas, a Welsh Baptist, made a profound statement that will never outdate itself: “There is no way that those who neglect secret worship can know communion with God in the public services of the Lords Day.”
So let’s take a temperature reading of the flames of our worship on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Are the flames burning hot or have the embers died since last Sunday’s encounter with the Most High God? Are you satisfied to worship only once a week in a man-made sanctuary or are you worshipping in the beauty of holiness, in a place where God dwells, with a heart following hard after Him?
Father, how can I neglect the flaming of the embers in private and secret worship? I ask myself this but yet I know I must ask Your forgiveness for not pursuing an encounter with You in the beauty of holiness every day of every week, every moment of every day. Father, I long to be in Your presence and to worship You. Teach me to heed the call of the Spirit and meet you in the secret place where You can be worshipped in the beauty of holiness. I long to worship You and give You all the glory due Your name! Amen and Amen!
“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” (1 Chronicles 16:29)
© Jan Ross
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