Anyone who has a “green thumb” knows how to love and care for their plants. They make sure they get plenty of everything they need to be healthy and happy (if plants can be happy...). Occasionally they move a plant closer to a window if they see that it isn’t getting enough sunlight. It’s amazing how quickly the plants perk up and look healthy (and happy) again.
Worshipping God has a similar effect on our souls. We cannot encounter his presence and awesome glory and not somehow be affected.
One great example of the transforming power of worship is in Isaiah 6. At the beginning of this chapter, Isaiah was mourning the death of his friend, King Uzziah. Through a vision Isaiah found himself right in the middle of a heavenly worship service. He “saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted”. He went on to describe the seraphs all calling to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Their voices were so loud that the entire place shook. The Temple was filled with smoke, which represented the holy presence of God.
Can you imagine what that service must have been like? Wouldn’t you love to have been there with Isaiah? But notice that Isaiah wasn’t actually “in” the service at first. Verse 1 says he “saw the Lord.” He was an observer, an onlooker. Perhaps he was like some of those who come to our worship services -- not really participating, just watching. But even the person in the farthest corner of the room will be somehow be affected when God shows up. That’s exactly what happened to Isaiah. He couldn’t stay uninvolved for long.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand... With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”I (vs. 5-8)
Isaiah’s first response was to recognize his sinfulness and let God cleanse him. Then he went from a downcast and reluctant worship spectator to a willing participant in anything God wanted him to do. That’s the amazing change God can make in people’s lives through worship.
[taken from Pure Praise: A Heart-Focused Bible Study on Worship, Dwayne Moore, 22-23.]
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