In the song the Heart of Worship there is a line that states all is stripped away. “When the music fades, and all is stripped away and I simply come. I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search much deeper within, through the way things appear, You're looking into my heart.” I hope by now you are seeing that worship is much more than a song because God is looking at your heart, he is looking for obedience. Now before I go any further I want to state this again; worshipping with song is not bad. When we are right with God music from the heart is beautiful (not talking about sound) before God. Take for instance in Nehemiah. Yesterday we talked about reading the word of God and confessing. After that, when the wall was completed there was a dedication. Nehemiah 12:27 “At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. 28 The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. 30 When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall. The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, 41 as well as the priests. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. 43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.” This is not about removing music from worship, this about humbling and repenting before God. Music is most definitely part of worship Psalm 149:1 “Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.” Psalm 150 “Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
Worship has been under attack probably since the beginning. It is still strange to me that at one time in some denominations musical instruments were not used, which is still the case in some, not a biblical premise by the way. Having said that, acapella music can be a beautiful part of worship. As time went by for example the organ was introduced but then after time it became a sacred cow and became very hard to use any other instruments as people dug their heels in. Again the music, at least music that is biblically sound is important to the church. The problem is attitudes of the heart that need to be stripped away. This stain-glassed masquerade (Casting Crowns) has to stop. Jeremiah 6:13 “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” This is a serious problem in the church today. Jeremiah 5:20 “Announce this to the descendants of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah: 21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: 22 Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. 23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. 24 They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good. 30 “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end”? This applies to today asmany people every Sunday will worship before the everlasting God with an impure heart. 2 Kings 17:34 “To this day they persist in their former practices. They neither worship the Lord nor adhere to the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands that the Lord gave the descendants of Jacob, whom he named Israel.. 37 You must always be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. 38 Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. 39 Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” 40 They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. 41 Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.”
Once we admit that worship itself is under siege, we then can humble ourselves before God and ask him to open our eyes and ears to true worship. We must respond the same as when they found the Book of the Law in 2 Chronicles 34:9 “When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” True worship is the fear of the Lord. As we approach this Advent season, we bow before the King. Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Psalm 95:1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Luke 2:29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Scripture is very clear that we must humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways. Romans 13:11 [ The Day Is Near ] And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Jesus himself said, when the Son of Man comes, would he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18) He is returning so “You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed it’s coming.” (2 Peter 3) Worship is more than a song and God is looking deep into your heart. Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Will we look for that narrow gate with everything we have and proclaim I have found the word of the Lord? “12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” This is why most do not want to find the word of the Lord. Remember in true worship obedience is better than sacrifice.
Prayer: Change my Heart O God. 1 Samuel 10:9 “As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day.”
