THE MINISTRY OF WORSHIP
Today's reading:  1 Chronicles 5-9

"David assigned the following men to lead the music at the house of the Lord after he put the Ark there.  They ministered with music there at the Tabernacle until Solomon built the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.  Then they carried on their work there, following all the regulations handed down to them."  1 Chronicles 6:31-32 NLT

Our family attended a worship service this past week that was very, very different from the one we are used to attending.  We did not experience fear.  There was nothing ungodly about anything that was done.  The people were over and above friendly.  It was just different.

I guess I had put my own set of rules on how I thought worship should look, sound and progress.  So when I noticed the 'regulations' mentioned in today's Scripture, I was thrilled to do a little searching to find out what God has originally instructed worship to be.

In my cross-referencing and flipping from verse to verse, I find only two stipulations God placed on worship...

First, it's all about Him.  He will not share a spotlight with anyone or anything else.  He is a jealous God.  He is a deserving God.  Worship is about us realizing that and responding to that huge truth.

Secondly, it's about joy.  God asked that all the singers and musicians worship with joyful songs.  Songs that excite.  Songs that uplift.  Songs that stir the hearts of those in the congregation.  Songs that flow from the hearts and mouths of people who are fully aware of the greatness of God.

That being the case, the service we attended and our regular services were not at all different.  I felt joy.  I saw God glorified.

Maybe I needed to know that my way of doing things is not the only way God allows.  The beat of the worship in my heart may ring out a different tune in someone else's heart.  The stirring of God inside another just might manifest its self in a completely different manner--and yet praise God.