Taking Worship Seriously
By Jill Briscoe
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. ~ Isaiah 6:3-4
The posts of the heavenly realm shook at the voice of him who cried. I used to think that this verse referred to God, but then I realized the text reveals it is the voice of the angel that shakes heaven. If such a tumult occurs at the voice of an angel, whatever will happen when God Himself speaks?
We take the privilege of worship far too lightly. We get too chummy with God, or try to bring Him down to our level. A Friend He is - but an Almighty Friend, a Holy Friend. As we come to understand His ineffable nature, we shall be saved from irreverent attitudes in prayer. And yet He encourages us to come “boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). It is because Jesus our advocate is at the right hand of God that we dare to come boldly before His throne.
When God’s angels acknowledged God’s Person and attributed worth to Him, “the house was filled with smoke.” This undoubtedly refers to the shekinah glory, the presence of God made manifest. So when you and I attribute worth to God in worship, heaven is moved and God will show Himself - if not to the world, certainly to the worshiper. The awesome reality of God may wring a “woe is me” from our lips as it did from Isaiah, but it hopefully will lead us to submission and a deep desire to serve our lost world.
Lord, You are my Maker, my Friend, my Savior, my King, my Master and the Lover of my soul. And You are completely holy and loving. Help me to keep this balance in my worship. Thank You for the gift of being able to be in Your presence. Meet me now and inhabit my praises. Be Glorified! Amen.
