"The fear (awe) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
"And the people that do know their God shall be
strong and do exploits." Daniel 11:32
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give
thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4
David expressed so well the joy of worshipping God with praises.
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I
may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." Psalm 27:4
Would to God that we would learn the secret of His presence in
learning to worship the Lord for WHO HE IS, not just for all the
things He has done. The Worship and Praise part of intercession is to
BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD. That means to take time to muse,
meditate on who He is in all His splendor and glory, until the truth
of His greatness fills us with love, awe and true adoration.
David knew that the true desire after God was to "study Him" -- to behold
his beauty and to inquire after Him with all our our hearts. Have you every
been entrawled by a sunset so as to just sit in awe? Have you ever studied
the beauties of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds under an eye piece? Have you
ever savored a delicious meal savoring each bite for the taste while it saturates
your palate? That is what it is to "behold the beauty of the Lord." It is to
pause in awe of his grandeur and majesty. It is to take time to "smell" the fragrance
of the Lord.
I am afraid for all of us too often our praise is not real worship or
adoration but fumbling attempts to "DO PRAISE" so that we can get on
with the real business interest of our prayer -- the asking. True
worship has nothing to do with getting. It is quietly, deliberately
looking into the kaleidoscope of God's character, and standing in awe
of His matchless beauty. And they that do so will find him matchless in beauty and
awesome in power. "for they that KNOW THEIR GOD will be strong and do exploits."
WORSHIP HINTS
1. Sing songs of worship to the Lord.
2. Remember (think on) His mighty works.
3. Tell of His excellent greatness. (Rehearse it to Him)
4. Exalt His Names.
5. Read Scriptures that exalt Who He is.
6. Physically express your worship and adoration.
7. Acknowledge His Sovereignty, Power, Wisdom, Control.
Peter says we are..."a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people, TO SHOW FORTH HIS PRAISES." 1 Peter 2:9
David affirms that God ..."inhabits the praises of Israel." Ps 22:3