January 1, 2022

Nehemiah 8: 5 (NIV)

Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.

Worship is not about what we get out of it, but what God gets out of it.*

The church I attend is not particularly demonstrative. There is a fair amount of hand-raising during the song service and our preacher is good at eliciting a few “amens” each week, but for the most part we’re a pretty stoic bunch. I am comfortable with this because it’s my worship style. Tears are the only outward sign you will see from me. I don’t even clap during a rousing song because I have no rhythm!

That having been said . . .  I love it when, even though the worship leader has allowed us to sit during a song, the worshippers around the room begin spontaneously rising to their feet as they are moved by the music. Even I can’t sit while singing, “I stand in awe of you.”

Why do we not have the same awe and reverence when the Word of God is read aloud? In this verse from Nehemiah, we see a congregation who had a good view of the “preacher” from where they were sitting. But when he opened the book to read, they stood. Guess what they did next . . . They lifted their hands and said, “Amen! Amen!” Followed by bowing down, faces to the ground, worshipping the Lord.  When have we ever been so moved by the reading of God’s Word?

In verse four of Nehemiah, chapter 8, we read that Ezra stood on a high, wooden platform built for this occasion – a reminder to us of the practical things that often must be done in preparation for worship. The work that goes into preparing a sermon week after week; choosing the songs and arranging for the worship team to practice; cleaning the church building; preparing the communion emblems; and on and on . . . But, as expressed by a commentator: “By far, the greatest preparation must happen in the heart.”*

I am trying to develop the habit of preparing my heart for worship before I arrive at church for the worship service. I find that I am less critical and negative when I have asked God to help me make it about him, not about me.  Perhaps I should also ask God to help me to be properly respectful while his Word is being read. Maybe someday I will be moved to stand and say, “Amen! Amen!”

Sunday morning worship begins on Saturday evening as we start to focus attention on God. Ask for clean hands and a pure heart to worship well. Ask for words and thoughts that are acceptable to God.*