The weather has been cold lately, unseasonably so. In fact, the average high temperature here in Missouri this time of year is 45 degrees. Recently, however, the high has been around zero. No sane person can argue with the fact that it is colder than usual, almost across the entire country.
When the temperatures are as low as they have been, we desire heat and warmer clothing much more so than usual (at least I do). There is a certain recognition and respect for the frigid temperatures that cause us to do things now that we do not do in warmer temperatures. For example, I warm my vehicle up before driving it, wear mittens, wear my hood on my winter coat, and wear two pair of socks when I am going to be outside for any extended period of time. I desire to do these things because of what subzero temperatures can otherwise do to me. My desires are right based on the weather and my comfort and my health.
If you understand and accept certain elements of the elements, you cannot help but desire to do certain things in response to the elements.
So it is in our worship of God. When you come to know and follow the Lord and learn who He is and what He has done for you, you desire to worship Him. Furthermore, the more you rightly learn, the more you rightly desire. In other words, your desires are rightful when you understand and embrace the God of the Bible and His call on your life.
The more you understand the cold weather and the effects of the cold weather, the more likely you are to respond rightly to the cold weather.
The more you understand the Lord and His sovereignty over your life, the more likely you are to respond rightly to His Lordship.
On Sunday morning, Lord willing, I will be preaching through Nehemiah 8:9-18 on “Desired Worship.” What are some appropriate reasons and desires for worship? I will discuss those in the message, as we can certainly have wrongful desires if we do not have proper understanding and faith.
If you misunderstand the brutal effects of subzero temperatures, you can wrongly desire to wear shorts and flip-flops outside and reap the resulting consequences of frostbite.
If you misunderstand the biblical truth of God, you can wrongly desire to do things contrary to His Word and reap the resulting consequences of judgment.
What are your desires when it comes to worshiping God? What are the reasons for what you desire? What are the results of your desires? Let us rejoice in the Lord and desire to honor Him in worship, both as individuals and as a community (in the context of our local church families). Let us rightly respond to God according to His perfect Word.
DrakeCity 