WORSHIP AND OBEY

 Let us rejoice in the Lord, ... harden not your hearts as at Meribah (Psalm 95: 1,8) 

Millions of Christians gather every Sunday to worship God as their Creator and Redeemer. Church service is a time to proclaim the goodness of God and to praise Him, both formally and liturgically or informally and spontaneously. However, centuries of church history have revealed how quickly worship can turn into empty rituals. This happens when God's elect harden their hearts and disobey His word.

The psalmist knew this truth through the experience of the nation of Israel. Under the leadership of Moses, they were miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt and had praised God enthusiastically (Ex. 12-15). However, almost immediately they also began to doubt the goodness and virtue of God. They murmured and sought to find fault with God and Moses, His servant. 

They ignored His commandments, and their worship became empty. This apparently aroused God's wrath, resulting in them having to roam forty years in a wilderness which they could have crossed in no time. Most of them were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. 

O God, fill us with admiration and gratitude for Your miraculous salvation. Help us to give the praise You deserve, and also enable us to be faithful in love and obedience to You — HVL

OUR WORSHIP IS RIGHT
IF WE HAVE A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

*) Take from Daily Meditation