SOAP 04/23/2012; 1 Chronicles 9:33

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10
     
S)"³³ Now these are the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free from other service; for they were engaged in their work day and night."
     

1 Chronicles 9:33 (NASB)

*NASB italics indicate inferred definition, not literal translation

    

O) Worship as a full time ministry - this is a big deal. It's nice to have numbers, though. I know in smaller churches, most of the staff members wear multiple hats. Sometimes, it's simply a matter of having a plentiful harvest and few workers. Some of that is expected and ok and even appears in the Levitical duties of the temple - except here. The singers did nothing but sing. I'm reminded of Revelation 4:8 where we see the angels continually before God's throne saying, "Holy, holy, holy," and ultimately, this verse speaks one thing to me: God deserves unending worship.

     
A) It's not enough for me to worship God each Sunday morning. When days and days go by where I'm not giving God the worship He deserves, I find myself becoming very dry and feeling disconnected from Him. It's almost like a spiritual depression, where I find myself dispassionate toward Him. I need to ensure that I am worshiping God daily. I need to make worship outside my church's walls, a regular practice. So, whether I'm driving around town, riding my bike to work, or just sitting at home, I need to separate time out to worship the LORD.

     
P) Father, You deserve all praise and glory, God. Your grace and mercies are unending and Your goodness is pure. You are slow to anger and quick to forgive, showing loving-kindness to the undeserving. You sent Your innocent, perfect Son, the only Begotten, to die the world. This wasn't a good man dying so an innocent person would live, this was the Hero dying for the villain. And all of it was according to Your plan for reconciliation, because You loved the unlovable. I was that villain, that unlovable. Thank You for this redemption, Father. Thank You that I can be counted with the heroes and I can be loved. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.