Worship

 

    What is worship?  Worship is the response to a perceived presence of the divine.  It transcends normal activity into Holy activity.  A person can get to a state of worship by being conscious of the Holy Spirit.  It is a private and intimate moment, but at the same time can be shared with a group of people like in church.  Genuine worship can be felt and it can become contagious.

    When God indwelled the temple making it His home on Earth, it gave Solomon a feeling of pride.  He had done well and God had approved.  In that state of worship, He chose to bless all the people that were present for the celebration.   When in a state of worship, prayer comes naturally.  The length of the prayer is not what matters.  It is the pouring out of the heart that matters.

    In front of the nation, Solomon spread out his hands and knelt before God's altar to pray.  He was not thinking about how it looked, what was proper, or any consequences.  He needed to actively worship God openly.  He gave God all the glory and thanked God for everything in his life.  

    Solomon he prayed for the people.  He knew that the human race is flawed, but humans are still capable of worship and obedience to God.  He prayed for forgiveness for God's people.  He prayed for all the foreigners who sought a relationship with God.  

    Solomon finished the public worship with inviting God to live in His resting place (the temple) and not to reject His people.  There is not a more humble way to worship than how Solomon displayed.  He taught us how to get out of our own way and focus on God.  Acknowledge all the good that God does in our lives daily and worship with all our hearts, minds, and body.

2 Chronicles 6