September 4, 2006 - Psalms 143-145 and I Corinthians 14:21-40
I am convinced that David had a regular "unhurried time" with the Lord in the morning. There are so many signs of this when we read about him in the Bible, and when we read what God inspired him to write in the Bible. He knew the importance of seeking the Lord early in the day and following Him all day long.
Psalm 143 is a great example of a passage that points to David's devotional life. Look at verse 8. David asked God to show him His lovingkindness in the morning. Why did he ask that of God? That word means God's faithfulness to keep His covenant or His promises. David wanted to base his whole day on trusting God's promises. That is a great way to live. He wanted to show God that he was trusting Him, too. If we don't have time in the morning with God, can we really say that we are trusting Him? If we don't ask Him to fill us with His Spirit, and we don't tell Him we are depending on Him for direction and power, how are we trusting Him? David even took it one step further. He said, "Cause me to know the way I should walk." That is trust. Then, he said he was lifting up his soul to God. He was giving his inner self, his whole self to the Lord, mind, will, and emotions. He was totally dependent on the Lord. That is what we are to do in our "unhurried time" each day.
Then, in Psalms 144 and 145 we see many of the results of David's time with the Lord. He knew God in specific ways, because of what he had seen God do in his life. (144:2) He knew that God cared about people. (144:3) He knew that real happiness came from trusting God. (144:15) His heart was filled with praise for God. (145:1) He knew God's character well. (145:8,9) He knew that God was with Him as he called upon Him in truth. (145:18) I believe that all of these things were the results of David's time with the Lord in the mornings, and then, from seeing God work all day long. We all need to see these results in our own lives. We don't just need to read about them in David's life.
I Corinthians 14 finishes up with an admonition to meaningful worship that proceeds in an orderly manner, and that is not filled with pride. Worship is not about showing off in front of people. Worship is about praising and thanking God. It is about sharing God's word humbly, and even learning more from other believers. It is not a show to watch. It is something in which to participate by sharing and by listening. These principles are applicable from house churches to mega churches, but in them, I can see the simplicity of the early church. I believe we need more simplicity in worship. I don't understand the admonition for women not to speak in church. I have studied it a lot, but I am still not sure of the reasoning. I am not going to fight against it, though. God has an order, and we should follow His order, so He can bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 146-147 and I Corinthians 15:1-28.
Psalm 143 is a great example of a passage that points to David's devotional life. Look at verse 8. David asked God to show him His lovingkindness in the morning. Why did he ask that of God? That word means God's faithfulness to keep His covenant or His promises. David wanted to base his whole day on trusting God's promises. That is a great way to live. He wanted to show God that he was trusting Him, too. If we don't have time in the morning with God, can we really say that we are trusting Him? If we don't ask Him to fill us with His Spirit, and we don't tell Him we are depending on Him for direction and power, how are we trusting Him? David even took it one step further. He said, "Cause me to know the way I should walk." That is trust. Then, he said he was lifting up his soul to God. He was giving his inner self, his whole self to the Lord, mind, will, and emotions. He was totally dependent on the Lord. That is what we are to do in our "unhurried time" each day.
Then, in Psalms 144 and 145 we see many of the results of David's time with the Lord. He knew God in specific ways, because of what he had seen God do in his life. (144:2) He knew that God cared about people. (144:3) He knew that real happiness came from trusting God. (144:15) His heart was filled with praise for God. (145:1) He knew God's character well. (145:8,9) He knew that God was with Him as he called upon Him in truth. (145:18) I believe that all of these things were the results of David's time with the Lord in the mornings, and then, from seeing God work all day long. We all need to see these results in our own lives. We don't just need to read about them in David's life.
I Corinthians 14 finishes up with an admonition to meaningful worship that proceeds in an orderly manner, and that is not filled with pride. Worship is not about showing off in front of people. Worship is about praising and thanking God. It is about sharing God's word humbly, and even learning more from other believers. It is not a show to watch. It is something in which to participate by sharing and by listening. These principles are applicable from house churches to mega churches, but in them, I can see the simplicity of the early church. I believe we need more simplicity in worship. I don't understand the admonition for women not to speak in church. I have studied it a lot, but I am still not sure of the reasoning. I am not going to fight against it, though. God has an order, and we should follow His order, so He can bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 146-147 and I Corinthians 15:1-28.