I am sitting in WVa with snow all around and its only the
first of November. So depressing! Yet, I
have forgotten how beautiful it really is here.
For example, yesterday eight pastors went caving in the Lost Caves
Cavern.
What an amazing time, and what an amazing look into this
glorious earth the Lord has created.
I want to go back an touch on PASSIVE WORSHIP again. One of the reasons they chose WVa.
is apart from cow-tipping and cave spelunking, there was really very little to
do but spend time together and to read.
I got stuck on Psalm 40. I wrote
in the top of my Bible, “David’s Psalm against the Passive Worshipper. Let me show you a few verses and see if you
agree.
Verse 3 – “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise
to our God. Many will see and fear and
put their trust in the LORD.” Did you
see it? “MANY WILL SEE AND FEAR…” David
was overwhelmed with God’s work to the point that he wrote a new song about it
and did not keep it quite. Many saw it
and were amazed. Now this is going to be
a theme, so hold on – People who are fired up about what God is doing tell
others about it. Are you telling others
about what God is doing?
Verse 5 – “You have multiplied, O LORD, my God. Your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward
us; none can compare with you! I will
PROCLAIM and TELL of them, (I love this next part) yet they are more than can
be told.”
Isn’t that incredible.
David says, in essence, “I can’t write songs fast enough. I can’t tell
my family quick enough…it’s like, God did this and then he’s already done
something else amazing…I can’t keep up!”
That’s great.
Verse 9 – “I have TOLD the glad news of deliverance in the
great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O
LORD.” Now David moves to church. At the temple he is proclaiming the glad
news. But did you see it, I hope so…he
says “I have not restrained my lips…”
Passive worshippers are ok with restraint. They are afraid of what man might think. They won’t engage at all for fear that others
will laugh, or even worse ridicule what they say God is doing.
Verse 10 – More of the same – such a blessing, notice: “I
have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; (so what did you do then
David?) I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and
your faithfulness from the great congregation…”
Now that is Worship. In front of
thousands or even millions, King David models real worship. He is unafraid to ascribe worth to all the
people. WOW
One more verse, notice the affect he wants for the
congregation: Verse 16 “But may ALL who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may
those who love your salvation SAY continually, “Great is the LORD!” “ David is saying – “Down with passive worship
Israel, Great is the LORD. Great is his
Faithfulness. Great is his
Salvation. Oh I long for every one to
join in and say GOD IS GREAT!”
And as your pastor, I desire that as well. People need to hear your story of the great
things God has done for you. Let it start
with Salvation. Tell them how he rescued
you from the kingdom of Darkness. Let
them hear about how he has healed you, or others in your family. Let them hear about how he has provided at
just the right time, and met your need no one else knew about. There is so much we can praise him for every
day.
Lastly, Don’t be shy about what God is doing when we all
come together. Be like David…”I have
told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation…”
Pastor Nate
