Stop, Look, and Worship

OPENING PRAYER:

Eternal God, remind me today that I live under Your watchful eye, and in Your grace I stand.

READ: Psalm 134

A song of ascents.

1 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 134

REFLECT:

Take a moment to prepare your heart to worship. Ask God to draw near to you as you draw near to him. The psalms remind us of our need to gain fresh perspective through worship. In this psalm (another psalm of ascent), we are reminded of pilgrims heading up to Jerusalem. This psalm reminds us of both those serving and worshipping in the Temple. The writer seems to see this happening as people are praising the Lord.

It is important for us to take time to be together in worship. We need to look up and gain the right perspective in a world which is full of so many distractions. Worshipping God often involves singing, and also, our whole lives. Physical expressions of worship can be helpful – to lift up our hands (v 2), or to kneel in worship, or close our eyes.

We are blessed as we seek our God, ‘the Maker of heaven and earth’ (v 3). As we worship, he draws near to us and wants to bless us. As disciples of Jesus, we also encounter him in our worship. Today, we need to choose to turn away from our phones and other distractions, and to worship. Turn your eyes to Jesus.

APPLY:

Sometimes it can be helpful to be creative in worship. Take some time now to praise God. For example, sing a song, write a poem, draw a picture – or simply be still, knowing you are in God’s presence.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Lord, in worship today, let praise be on my lips for who You are, thanksgiving be in my heart for what You have done, and obedience be in my steps for what You ask me to do.

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