WORSHIP THOUGHTS

07/01/06 - “Free to flow”

Today, I would like to share with you some meditations from Psalm 9. On our School of Worship we encourage every student to read through the Psalms in the year and allow God to speak as they read. I have been meditating on this Psalm and I would like to open up what I have seen.

Firstly, I would say that it is important to allow to God speak to you as you read. I see things as I read. And with this in mind here’s what I saw:

Psalm 9 v 1-2 in the New Living Translation reads:

“I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart,

I will tell of all the marvellous things you have done.

I will be filled with joy because of you.

I will sing praises top your name, O Most High.”

When all of our heart is involved thanksgiving and praise takes on a new level. It steps up a gear and appears to be much more passionate. It will be, and that is what God is after! Thanksgiving is a choice for all of us. Either we are thankful or we are not. I am persuaded that it is better to be thankful than ungrateful. I believe that many of us only release a small amount of thanksgiving, even in a meeting. We have, unfortunately, been duped into the “bless me” syndrome and therefore we do not see the need for us to pour out anything, as God will do all the pouring. This is a total misconception! God has poured out so much and now it is our turn to repay the compliment.

I will tell of all the marvellous things you have done. Most of us can’t remember what happened yesterday, never mind last year. But we have to have our mind renewed and allow all of what God has done for us to filter through our mind, like fine coffee is filtered before drinking. There is nothing worse than stale coffee, bitter coffee, instant coffee!!! Our filter may need changing. It has ceased to allow any of God’s goodness to get through to our mind, and therefore nothing comes off us. The drip becomes really slow, to go back to the coffee analogy!

In reading these two verses it is evident that we have to stir ourselves up into action. You cannot rely upon the worship leader, singers or musicians; pastor, house group-leader or anyone else to do it for you. You have to be willing to step over the line yourselves and break out! Having said all of that, if we get filled with joy because of Jesus thanksgiving and praise will flow like a river. Let us embark upon a week of overflow. An overflow of thanksgiving and praise towards the Lord. Stir yourselves and allow yourself to be free to flow.