The Joy Of Christian Worship

"Today's Devotion" For April 5, 2005

Read: Revelation 5:6-14; Psalm 98

THE JOY OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Rev. 5:12)

Ten days ago the Christian Church gathered together over most of the world to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the assurance we have in that Resurrection that the Father has once, and for all time, accepted Christ's sacrifice for the sins of the world. As I recall the celebration that day, there were not only a lot more people in worship than normal, but the music sounded a whole lot better as well. It was a day of celebration for sins forgiven and the blessed assurance of eternal life in Christ. Every year, for as long as I can remember, I've always looked forward to the singing and music of Christmas and Easter because it always seems to be much more robust. However, for the sheer joy and power of the singing, I have to give it to the Easter celebration hands down.

Yesterday at noon I was privileged to be in worship with about 200 of my fellow pastors, and some of their wives, at a pastor's conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I sat in my usual spot in church--second row front, left side on the aisle. The music for the opening hymn started, we all stood, and we began to sing, "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing"--and I was stunned. The sheer volume, enthusiasm, the boundless joy, and eagerness to worship of those assembled, hit me like a locomotive. I felt almost lifted off my feet. It seemed as if I was being propelled forward out of the pew. The sheer magnitude of the joyfulness was overwhelming. Even the preacher, the Synodical President, made note of the same thing later on in his sharing with the pastors.

I share this with you, not as a way of comparison with other worship experiences, or to make anyone feel as if their own worship is inadequate. I want to share with you what I experienced so that you can give thanks for the opportunities God gives us to worship and praise His name. I suspect that those 200 pastors were able, for the first time since Lent started back on Ash Wednesday, to be away from their parishes and participate in worship without having to lead the service. Their hearts were joyful; Their spirits soaring; Their joy in the Lord obvious and powerfully expressed. As I considered the blessing of being involved in that worship experience I also realized that it was but a glimpse of the worship and praise that goes on around the throne of God's grace in heaven for all eternity. Every once in a while, God blesses us with an opportunity to experience the joy of heaven for a brief moment on earth. In so doing He gives us hope and joy, and builds an eager anticipation of the day when we can stand before the "Lamb Who was slain" and give Him glory and praise forever and ever.

Christian worship is about such joy and eager anticipation at all times. Each Sunday is a day of resurrection celebration. Each day is an opportunity to experience God's continued blessings as He comes to us in His Word, through our Baptisms, and listens to us as we approach the throne of grace with our prayers and petitions. It's the joy of Christian worship that sends us soaring as "on eagles' wings" as God lifts us up by the power of His Word and Spirit. He sets our hearts ablaze with His love, and sets our tongues singing Hs praises. It's very precious to our Father in heaven when His children fully experience the joy of Christian worship, for in so doing, we are lifted up to Him and strengthened in our mission of witness and service to a lost and dying world.

Prayer: Father, I know that I don't always think of worship as of great importance in my life. Too often I forget that my worship and praise of You is a reasonable response to Your great love, grace, and mercy to me in Christ Jesus. Help me to take the time each day, to spend time in Your Word, listening to You speak to me, and taking the time to bring my prayers and petitions before You, confident You will hear me and answer me according to Your Will and what's best for me according to Your wisdom and love for me. Father, I pray that You would send Your spirit upon me in such abundant measure that I may be led to fully praise and glorify Your name in all my thoughts, words, and deeds. Help me to fully reflect the full joy of worship, that it might be contagious to my brothers and sisters in Christ, an example for others to follow, and a testimony to the world of Your great goodness and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @ 2005 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All Rights Reserved.