Devotional
for the Week 4 February 2008
Sermon
Title: True Worship Starts With a Proper Understanding
Scripture Text: Nehemiah
8: 1-8
‘They
read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and
giving the meaning so that the people could understand what
was being read.’
Introduction
True
Worship Starts with a proper understanding...
True
Worship can only happen when people understand the word
of God. To help us understand, we can pray for the Spirit
of God to help us.
Deeply
saddened by the ruin of Jerusalem, Nehemiah was given liberty
by the King to rebuild the city. With the blessing of God,
Nehemiah was able to rebuild Jerusalem in 52 days. Afterwards,
there was a call of celebration and thanksgiving for the
sole purpose of listening to the word of God. Both young
and old came together as one to listen to Ezra the chief
priest, who read the Law of Moses to the people. The community
listened attentively to the word for 6 hours, helped by
the Levites who went among them to explain the meaning of
the word and to answer questions so that the people would
understand. They were so convicted of the word that they
mourned and wept as they listened.
Things
have changed immensely in the world today and it has even
affected the way people worship God. A lot of people these
days, especially in other countries, watch sermons on television
and consider that they are being faithful if they tune in
each Sunday to participate.
Here
are two points on Worship that we should strive to remember:
1.
Worship of God is a corporate experience. It is a community
affair. Everybody comes together, both young and old, men
and women from generation to generation.
True
Worship is reflected in corporate worship, not by worshiping
alone. People must make themselves available as a community
to go to church each Sunday. It’s important to come
together as a family to listen to the word of God. God’s
word is the most important aspect of worship, not the worship
team, the songs, the preacher or anything or anyone else.
Listening to the word of God can be such a blessing. Through
His word he talks to us as a congregation and as individuals.
It is reassuring to know that no matter what we are going
through, what our personal situation is, God is watching
over and protecting us. By listening to His word every Sunday,
we are in fact putting a lamp to our feet and a light to
our paths, as it says in Psalms 119:105. It’s God’s
assurance that even in the dark moments of our lives, whether
it is financial trouble, difficult relationships, bad health
or other problems, He is there and His word will be a source
of strength and comfort to encourage us. God is faithful
and will always honor His words. You can trust and believe
in all of God’s promises.
2.
Worship of God involves the way we respond to God’s
word and teaching. Worship allows God’s word to minister
to us, to convict us, to challenge us and to give us hope.
The joy of the Lord is our strength.
In
Nehemiah, we read that the people were weeping and mourning
as they listened to God’s word. God truly touched
their lives. God’s word is not meant to hurt us but
it can rebuke us and correct us so that we can move toward
righteousness in God. (Hebrew 4: 12-13) God’s word
is a constant reminder to us to live governed by our conscience.
Treasuring God’s word in this manner will help us
to apply His word in whatever we do so that we can easily
face life’s challenges.
Pastor
shared this relevant story with us:
“One day I went to the supermarket and bought
a medium-sized fish head, perfect for cooking curry. The
price was $12.40 which was reasonable, however, the price
tag was very difficult to read and the cashier punched in
$2.40. I thought about leaving with my bargain fish head
but I believe I heard a small voice inside speaking to me,
telling me not to leave without checking with the cashier
first. So I listened to the small voice and told the cashier
that she should have charged me $12.40. The cashier was
so grateful that I pointed out the error. I believe too,
that I was able to enjoy my $12.40 fish-head dinner. If
I had paid $2.40 I think I would have been filled with too
much guilt to enjoy the food.”
The word of God will guide us and help us to do the right
thing in all circumstances. Is your heart open to God today?
Many of us may be going through difficult times and don’t
know where to find help or who to turn to. Some of us, continue
to hold on to past bitterness and are filled with unforgiveness.
All we have to do is go to God and ask Him to show us the
way.
Prayer
Response:
Heavenly
Father, we pray that each week you will help us to come
together as a corporate family to worship you. We ask that
the spirit of God will help us to understand your word so
that we can live lives that are more Christ-like with each
passing day. Father we thank you for your faithfulness and
know that we can come to you with our problems no matter
what they may be. Help us to examine our lives, confess
our sins and rely on you in every circumstance Lord for
you have plans to prosper us and not to harm us. In Jesus’
most precious name. Amen
Devotional
based on sermon by Rev Lee Yam Kai