Email devotion for 8/6

I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Exodus 15:1 NIV 

I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also. 1 Corinthians 14:15

Worshiping God – it’s part of most religions. What is it that we do to worship God? Wikipedia entry explains the word worship: “Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity or God. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition of a God. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, or by a designated leader.” The word may derive from the word “worth.” We worship God as He is worthy of praise.

We might think of singing to the Lord and praising Him as something we do for an hour on Sunday morning, or Wednesday evening. Maybe just listening to the choir, or piano, or others sing, without participating. As the song says, All God’s children got a place in the choir, so go ahead and sing along. There might be a feeling of OK, got that done, now on with the week. Actually God is with us all day every day. In Exodus, Moses, Miriam and all the Israelites say these words in Exodus 15 as they begin a song of praise to God. All together in community, all singing the same song of praise.

We know about praising with words, singing, and praying out loud in groups. However we can also worship with our minds, that is, perhaps, silently.. Paul reminds us that we can pray with the help of the Holy Spirit any time and any place. We may feel as though we are doing this alone, but God is there with us. God is also there with small groups, large groups. As we read in I Thessalonians 16-17: ¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

Heavenly King, we lift our voices in joyful praise! You are worthy of all honor and glory! May our songs of adoration resound, echoing your majesty throughout the earth! Amen.

Chris Gabel