JOYFULLY JOIN IN WORSHIPING OUR LORD
When the offerings were completed, the king and all those present with him bowed down and worshiped. Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladnessH8057 and bowed their heads and worshiped.
2 Chronicles 29:29-30
King Hezekiah’s predecessor, King Ahaz, had not sought the Lord or obeyed Him. He had allowed unclean things to be brought into the Temple and had even closed its doors. Temple worship ceased during the reign of King Ahaz. King Ahaz was so evil he even sacrificed some of his children in the fire as offerings to false gods. By the grace of God, King Ahaz’s son Hezekiah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done” (2 Chronicles 29:2). King Hezekiah commanded the Levites to consecrate themselves and cleanse the temple of any impure items. He burned those things in the valley of Kidron. Once the temple and the articles needed for worship were cleansed, King Hezekiah had animals brought to the temple to be offered as a sacrifice and sin offering to the Lord. As the offerings were being burnt the Levites played instruments and sang in worship of the Lord. After the offerings, praises—particularly psalms of David and Asaph—continued to be sung with joy as they worshiped the one true God. The people had not celebrated and worshiped God during the reign of Ahaz which lasted sixteen years. Therefore, they rejoiced greatly to be able to reinstate temple worship. They were way overdue for the freedom and ability to praise the Lord exuberantly in His House of Prayer.
During the pandemic the last few years (2020-2022), many churches temporarily closed in order to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Then they re-opened with “social distancing” and wearing masks. Because Susan is immune-compromised due to her cerebral palsy and weaker lungs, we have not been able to return to church. We participate in small group study via Zoom and watch the worship service via live streaming. A few weeks ago, I (Susie) attended worship because I felt a pressing need to ask the congregation to pray for me by going to the altar during prayer time. When I walked into the foyer, several friends came up to hug me. I became overwhelmed and burst into tears. I was starved for the in person “familyship” of corporate worship. I rejoiced as I sang the praise songs through tears. It is heart-wrenching for Susan to not be able to go to church in person because the church is her home in so many ways. Susan is working to get reacclimated to sitting in her power chair long enough to go to church. We will have a fantastic, joyous celebration when we are both able to attend worship services in person! This Sunday, if you are able to attend worship at your local church, REJOICE!!!
Father, we thank You that the leaders of North Pointe Baptist have worked hard to include us in worship throughout this pandemic. We praise you for a pastor and other church members who have brought “familyship” into our home when we could not come to them. We rejoice to be able to worship You together even in our apartment.
P.S. Please pray for more volunteers to help transfer Susan in and out of her chair to enable her to build up stamina to in the chair for both small group and worship service on Sundays.