You may be thinking that I have been diverted down a rabbit track, because the Color of Worship study appears to have been discontinued. Not so. We are still worshiping; we are becoming vessels of worship. How can one truly worship God when we don't know how God wants to be worshiped? Walk into church, sit down, listen to the choir and musicians, hear the preacher say a few words, go home. What part of that describes worshiping God? And what if you do become more active in the worship part of the service? Why or for whom are you participating? Because your worship leader says this is the way we do it? Or has your heart truly been prepared to be in God's presence, to sing God's praises, to glorify God and lift up His Name amongst the congregation of His people? You sure?
The word BLESS mentioned many, many times in the Old Testament Scriptures means to (1) Greatly Adore (2) Kneel Down (3) Abundantly altogether praise and congratulate (4) Salute (5) be Still (6) Thank.This word BLESS is translated from the Hebrew word BARAK, meaning to kneel down, surrender, submit. So, I ask again, are you ready to worship God in God's house?
Psalms 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips. The word PRAISE here is translated from the Hebrew word HALAL, meaning (1) Clear (2) Shine (3) Boast (4) Rave (5) Celebrate (6) Clamorously foolish.
Psalms 21:13 Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength: so will we sing and praise Thy power. The word PRAISE here is ZAMAR, which means (1) Striking with the fingers (2) Touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument (play an instrument of music) (3) Make music accompanied by the voice (4) Celebrate in song and music (5) Sing forth.
Genesis 29:35 And she (Leah) conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. PRAISE = YADAH, meaning (1) Open handed [which indicates power, direction, means] (2) To throw {with that hand} (3) To revere or worship with extended hands (4) To cast out, confess, give thanks. Judah by definition means celebrated. People of praise.
Psalms 63:3 Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. PRAISE means SHABACH, shout with a voice of triumph! (1) Address in a loud tone (2) Commend (3) Glory in.
Deuteronomy 6:21 He is thy praise, and He is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. PRAISE=TeHILLAH: (1) Laud (2) Hymn. See? Not only does He give me songs in the night, HE IS MY SONG. Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love. He will joy over thee with singing. God sings over you and I. Do we sing over Him? Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved: for thou art my praise (my TeHillah, my song)
Jeremiah 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for His mercy endures for ever: and {the voice} of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord. We bring a sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. Yes or No? What are we sacrificing to be in God's presence? What are we not doing at the time we come together with God's people in God's house? PRAISE = TOWDAH (1) Choir of worshipers (2) Sacrifice of praise (3) An extension of the hand [as in promise or vow]
Be prepared. When you declare allegiance to one Master, the other one will fight tooth and nail to get you to turn back and retreat. Nothing compares to the mercies of God and nothing ever will. Choosing to serve, and worship, God will antagonize the devil and he will use every trick and wile he has to break your connection to Jesus Christ.
Are you ready to worship the Lord your God?
