Our worship teams' goal of the year, beginning in August, was to "ignite a passion for the presence of God." We continue into the new year with that desire. A deep appreciation for the presence of God is essential to our worship. After all, it is about Him! There are many examples in Scripture about the correlation between worship and the presence of God. We've looked at several Old Testament examples. One of the New Testament examples is found in Acts 16:25-26, when Paul and Silas sang their praises in prison and God revealed His powerful presence. Worship literally ushers in the presence of God.
Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!" When we worship, it is as if a great, invisible gate opens wide, welcoming us into the very presence of God. Moses knew the importance of God's presence. In Exodus 33:15-16, we find him saying to the Lord, "If Your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here... is it not in Your going with us, so that we are distinct from others on the face of the earth?" May God's presence with us make us distinct as individuals and as a church. The Message says in Psalm 100:2, "Sing yourself into His presence." We know God inhabits the praises of His people. May we, in this new year, sing ourselves into His presence! mjm
A Melody from Michael J. . . . a Personal and Worship Blog
