MAY MEMORY VERSE
When the offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to praise the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.
2 Chronicles 29:29-30
After King Hezekiah led the priests and Levites in restoring the temple in Jerusalem, the gates finally opened again, and all of Judah came to worship and praise God. How excited and happy they were! They had waited sixteen long years to worship while God’s house sat empty, defiled, and desolate, deliberately desecrated by Hezekiah’s father, King Ahaz. Can you imagine how they shouted “Hallelujah!” and danced for joy as they lifted their voices to thank God? Scripture tells us that they sang praises and played musical instruments, bowed their heads and worshiped, brought offerings, and knelt before His glory and majesty (2 Chronicles 29).
Perhaps we have glimpsed what the Israelites experienced back then. While technology allowed us to worship remotely and be led by our pastors and musicians at the beginning of the pandemic, our church closing for six weeks reminded us of the blessing of gathering in worship. How did we feel upon returning to in-person worship in our beautiful Sanctuary with our friends? We were so happy to join our hearts and voices in song, prayer, praise, and Bible study! Coming together to worship gave us the joy of Christian fellowship and renewed hope for our future.
How do you worship and praise God each day? Many of us have morning devotions and are spontaneously led by the Spirit to worship our Lord throughout the day. I love to go outside in the very early dawn and lift my eyes and hands toward the sky to thank God for a new day. For two years, I had the blessing of living on beautiful Bonita Beach. Often, I was up before daylight, walking alone in my quiet time of worship. I sang hymns, danced in the sand, prayed aloud, and praised God with reverence and awe for the beautiful morning He had made. The water, the sky, the sand, the birds, the sea creatures in their pretty shells, the glorious light—all were evidence of His perfect handiwork, different and thrilling each day. What a privilege to be a daughter of the King and to walk in His light amidst the beauty He created! This was a precious and unique time with my Lord, worshiping Him in Spirit and truth (John 4:23).
Whether we worship quietly in solitude, communally in church with our brothers and sisters, or joyfully and exuberantly wherever we might be, God is there. Worship is our gift of love and reverence to God! Give abundantly and freely!
by Deacon Katy Harvin
