The psalmist says “I will extol the LORD at all times, his praise shall always be on my lips”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, when people think of us, they think “He (or she) is really a worshiper!”?

Since God himself desires worshipers we can be pretty sure the “enemy of our souls” is keen to put hindrances between us and worship. “Life is too busy”, “worship is a luxury”, “we do that on Sundays”, I’ll get less done, and I’m busy”, “isn’t this a bit inward looking?”, “I need to answer these emails first” … All these and more need to be identified for what they are – “Worship Obstacles”

The truth is that our first priority is to live our lives for what one writer called “the audience of One” It is not a heavy duty to be before our God but a glorious privilege, our eternal destiny and what we were created to do!

Of course, God does not need our worship, He is entirely self sufficient and complete in his self. Although he is glorified by us reveling in him the truth is that worship brings many benefits to us!

• We magnify the LORD. We cannot enlarge a perfect God but as when we look through a telescope at the moon we change our perspective of what we are looking at. God is already huge and magnificent and all powerful. When we worship him we enlarge our view of Him, and gain perspective on things we have made too big in our lives. Alternatively, if we fail to worship him we tend to diminish our view of who he is and magnify the wrong things.

• We experience his presence. Grace gives us access to the Father at all times. If we learn to worship as a lifestyle then we can know the reality of him being with us all the time … in our work, family life and so on… what former Christians called “practicing the presence of God”
• We receive fresh hope. I’m not sure “my problems disappear” as the song says … but I do know I see them in better perspective when I have an eye full of who he is and what he can do. I gain faith and the weight of burdens are lifted as I see God
• We revel in the truth. The words of our worship songs are so important as truth fuels worship, as does the word of God… sing, read, pray and the truths of God will seep into your soul!
• We receive fresh life and joy. We all get tired and weary but “those who wait on the LORD renew their strength” Someone once said to me “if you are tired, go to bed but if you are weary go to the Lord”. Good advice! I am grateful I have a wife who will spot the signs and tell me “you need a prayer walk!”

“Rejoice in the Lord… draw water from the well of salvation … the joy of the Lord is your strength”

Life gets cluttered and complex and confusing so let’s remember our number one priority, fight to overcome worship obstacles, and make the One who is THE first thing first in our lives!