Finally the psalmist says in Psalm 96 that worship is when we come to God’s courts, which is participation in the gathered community of believers. That is worship services on Sundays, but it could also be participation in a smaller group. We need each other. We need vital relationships with other believers. Worship God by opening yourself up to meaningful, vital connections with others in the church family. Be vulnerable. Open up time for others. Choose to be available when someone else needs a friend.
This is a heart matter. You can come to a worship service and never come into God’s courts. You can walk into a house with other Christians and in your heart and mind you are coming into God’s courts, his presence. This psalm is not about location. This is about a gathering with others whose hearts are for God and a desire for the mission of Kingdom to be the center of our lives.
By doing this, we worship him in the splendor of his holiness, we tremble before him, all the earth. Or as the psalmist says in verse 10, we say among the nations “The Lord reigns.” Those words are on our minds. We talk about God.
Finally verses 10-13 remind us that all creation rejoices, and that is a big part of why I wanted to talk about this psalm when we worship outdoors. Look around. Take it in. Notice how the creation rejoices!!!
The psalmist also says, we worship the Lord because the Lord will judge. That might sound negative. God is judge. Yes, but notice what kind of judge. He judges with equity, with righteousness and with truth. HE is good! He is worthy of our praise. He is worthy of our heart and mind focus even in difficult times. He deserves our sacrifice. He is love, he is good.
That is the proper perspective we need.
Photo by Shelagh Murphy on Unsplash
Engaging Scripture 