Bible Studies for Life

The Benefits of Worship

Psalm 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
The personal reference, my God, stresses David’s intimate relationship with God. Only those who have spent time with the Lord in the sanctuary will feel the desperateness of the void when they experience the wilderness. David wanted to see God’s power which included the powerful and glorious things God had done in the past.

David wanted to praise God. He was now in the wilderness fleeing from a rebellion that had dethroned him. But God’s love never changes; it lasts forever (Ps. 118:1). He did not know how long his life would last given his circumstances. But however long it did, David promised his blessing of God would continue that long also. God had revealed Himself in His strength and Glory (v.2). David adds that his praise will be joyful.

Psalm 63: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

David’s thinking was on the Lord, and David’s thinking on the Lord led to his meditating on the Lord. But it was during this vulnerable time, that David’s thoughts turned to the Lord. That God was David’s help meant God did for David what David could not do for himself (Ps. 46;1). My soul refers to the whole person. David’s part was to stick close to Jesus. In spite of David’s situation, or perhaps because of David’s situation, He still stuck to the Lord (see Ruth 1:14; 2:8; 21,23). A commitment that will not let go, relying on God’s strength.

Psalm 63: 9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
They seek David’s life, but it is theirs that will come to destruction instead. They were bringing destruction down upon themselves. David then proceeded to describe in vivid terms their destruction-their death and its aftermath-in the next phrases. The king refers to David as the legitimate ruler, his office was established by God Himself (1Sam. 16:1, 12-13; 2Sam. 7:16,25-29). God is the focus of David’s rejoicing- the God whose strength and glory he saw in the sanctuary and the God who was his helper and protector (v.7), who upheld him (v.8). The Lord opens the mouths for people to praise Him; he shuts the mouths of those who utter and propagate lies. Paul echoed this imagery and wording in Romans 3:19.

The point: We find all we need when we come to God in worship.

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Separation

Leviticus 9: 15 And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first. 16 And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner. 17 And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning. 18 He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about, 19 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver: 20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar: 21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

God had chosen Aaron and his sons to serve as priests in the tabernacle. They would be leading Israel in worship by presenting offerings and sacrifices to God. God had given strict guidelines about sacrifices. The “sin offering” was for purifying the worshipers and the sanctuary. This offering was essential because sin always separates God and people. The “burnt offering” was related to atonement for sin. This sacrifice restored the worshiper’s relations with God.
Leviticus 9: 22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. 24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

As high priest, Aaron would pronounce a blessing om the people when they presented their offerings. Having completed the sacrifices, he and Moses entered the holy area of the tabernacle. God often indicated His glory and presence with fire, which consumed the burnt offering. This fire was demonstration and confirmation that God had accepted the people’s offerings. The people responded with worship and adoration.

Leviticus 10: 1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Aaron’s oldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, used their firepans to bring “unauthorized fire before the LORD.” Scripture is not specific on why their offerings were unauthorized. But they offended God with their actions. God consumed them with fire.

This was a demonstration of His glory and reminder that God defines what is accepted worship toward Him. While God uses imperfect people, He expects us to respect Him and to recognize His holiness.

Our sin creates a barrier between ourselves and God. Believers can respond to God’s forgiveness with worship and are to revere God’s holiness and unmatched authority.

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Isaiah 55:11








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