WORSHIP OF A REMNANT

Dear Friend,

A few weeks ago, I briefly touched on what the proper response of a remnant should be. Let’s continue from there. I pray that you will be blessed.

Having read some portions of the scripture, I realised that in every age God has specified how he desires to be worshipped. There was a time he demanded that the tribe of Levi be separated and consecrated unto him and at another time he prescribed that altars be built and that sacrifices be made. There was also a time that he was no longer pleased with sacrifices and desired that his people would rend their hearts and not their garments; he was never going to despise a broken and a contrite heart.

But you are a chosen generation
A royal priesthood, a holy nation
His own special people , that you may proclaim
The praises of Him who called you
Out of darkness into His marvellous light. 1 Peter 2: 9 (NKJV)

This scripture says that we’ve been called out of darkness. I think this is a good cause to give God praise. It also says that we’ve been brought into his marvellous light; more cause why we should worship him.

I know the terms praise and worship are often used interchangeably but they are not one and thesame. Whilst praise is a response to God’s deeds, worship flows from the heart in humble adoration and reverence to God’s worth.

I’m not trying to say that we should worship God only when we’ve experienced his benefits; God is worthy to be worshipped and adored regardless. Do you know the reason God created and sustained you is that you would worship him?

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 (KJV)

For his pleasure! The word pleasure and the word pleasing have thesame root word that denotes something acceptable, enjoyable, satisfying, palatable, and comely. Many times in scripture after people sacrificed, God will say, this is pleasing to me or it’s a sweet smelling savour to my nostrils; in other words I am delighted in what you’ve done.

Pleasure! That’s what Noah brought God when he built an altar and sacrificed. God was so pleased that he promised never to destroy the earth. His worship got him a promise, not just for his generation but for generations to come. This is deep; I hope you can feel it.

Hezekiah’s time was up. God had already concluded it and sent his prophet to notify his servant. You have to understand that Hezekiah whose name means “Jehovah is strength” was a good king. During his reign, he abolished idolatry in his kingdom and kept the ordinances of God (e.g. celebrated passover). When he got the news, the scripture says he turned to the wall and prayed to the Lord. I could almost hear him say: God, how can I die when you are my strength, what about your word that says that I will live and not die to declare your works. Remember how I’ve obeyed you, how I’ve given myself completely to you and done what is pleasing in your sight, how shall I then die?

The scripture records that before Isaiah left that building , God sent him back to announce to Hezekiah that he would be healed and live another fifteen years. Noah obtained a lasting promise; Hezekiah received his healing and prolonged living, what have you? Oh that our lives may please God and our worship will be to him a sweet smelling savour.

Related journals:
I’m still here!
THE TESTIMONY OF A REMNANT