Involved Worship!

Though my thesaurus lists "complicated", "complex", "elaborate", and a few other words as synonyms for "involved", involved worship doesn't mean it has to be such though some have made it that way. Worship can be simple and still be acceptable to God and very meaningful to us. Worship is to touch our heart and direct its focus toward God who is most worthy of our praise. That is what worship is about; the worth-ship of God.

The time of Ezra was a time of rebuilding following years of captivity. Permission had been granted by Cyrus (king of Persia) for a return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. It was also a time for refocusing on God and the worship He was due. Two years after the return ( Ezra 3:8), the foundation of the temple was laid ( Ezra 3:10) and the occasion gave rise for praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

We read. . .
"(11) AND THEY SANG RESPONSIVELY, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, 'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.' " ( Ezra 3:11 ESV)

They "SANG RESPONSIVELY." This is probably a reference to the kind of singing in which they were involved; RESPONSIVE. It is the style of the entire 136th Psalm which began. . .

"(1) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." ( Psalm 136:1 ESV)

Following each verse of that psalm is a RESPONSIVE phrase similar to that of Ezra 3:11 which would have been stated by the congregation in unison. Such a continuing RESPONSE would have served to keep the attention focused on what was being stated. It was one of several styles of psalms and spiritual songs that would have been sung together.

Today, we sing hymns that are prayers, are instructive, encourage one another, and praise the Lord. (note Colossians 3:16) Some can even be done in a RESPONSIVE way between the leader and the congregation. However, there is another RESPONSIVE sense in which our worship should be conducted and that is with the heart responding genuinely to God for all He has done, is doing, and will do on our behalf.

Paul urged the church at Ephesus toward. . .
"addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING AND MAKING MELODY TO THE LORD WITH YOUR HEART," ( Ephesians 5:19 ESV)

In worshiping we are to consider our heart involvement. Worship is not a concert (unless we are viewing it in terms of God being our audience). It is not to be something to merely sit and observe. Rather it is something in which we personally participate even as it is done along with others! It is something to be responsive to and in. Just going through the motions could merely be "noise" ( Amos 5:23) to the ears of God. May we therefore consider what we are singing, always doing so with the spirit and the understanding. ( 1 Corinthians 14:15)

Have a great day WITH AN ENGAGED HEART TOWARD GOD!
Carl

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