READING: 1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31
I don’t even remember where I was at the time, but I know it was overseas. I had the privilege of leading a large group of missionaries in Bible study, and we had gathered for a time of worship and reflection that morning. Most of these missionaries had been on the field for a while, and they had not sung praise songs in their mother tongue (English) for a long time. All of their worship had been in the heart language of the people they were reaching, and they at times struggled even when they knew the local language well.
I cannot put into words what it was like to hear the brothers and sisters singing God’s praises with freedom and joy. Never had I heard such a chorus, and all I could do was stand in silence. There’s just something about God’s people singing together – like the Levites did morning and evening in David’s day: “And each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to him” (1 Chron 23:30). Their worship was intentional, structured, and regular—with each of the participants using his gifts (1 Chron 25). While this text does not demand that we worship the same way, it’s still the case that we need to plan worship into our lives.
My commitment today is that I will begin setting aside even a few minutes each morning and evening to sing God’s praises. How about you?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you have regularly scheduled worship times in your life?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “Father, help me to worship You today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Chronicles 26:1-28:21
