DEVOTIONAL: The Heart of Worship: Psalm 119:169-176
By Dr. Michael Madaris, Pastor,
Kelleytown Baptist Church, Hartsville
Hello, Darlington County, my name is Mike Madaris and I’m the new pastor at Kelleytown Baptist Church in Hartsville. It’s an honor to have this opportunity to write a few thoughts to you today. I pray these things will be a blessing to you as you ponder this devotion. I’m just finishing up a series of messages from Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, and the final message I preached was “The Heart of Worship.” What are your thoughts about worship? Who is a worshiper? What are we supposed to worship? When do we worship? The questions and ideas about worship go on and on. There are about as many opinions as people when it comes to worship, but I would like to share with you something of God’s perspective and desire when it comes to worship. In Verse 169-170 the psalmist reveals the content of worship. It is twofold at this point. It is about our “Cry” (praise) and about our “Petition” (prayer). Our praise is directed to King Jesus whether it is filled joy or grief. We can always go to the Lord. He longs for you to turn to Him in everything and at all times. We can rejoice in the Lord in the good times, and we can rejoice in the Lord in the difficult times. In Psalm 13:1-6 David writes, “1. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? … 3. Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death. … 5. But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” In Verses 171-175 the psalmist reveals the vessel of worship. The Bible reveals that you and I are the vessels of worship. We are created to worship. Every person on the planet is a worshiper. We may not all be worshiping the right thing. Anyone can get sidetracked, even good church members, but God created you and me to worship. Romans 12 gives us an amazing picture of what a life lived worshiping God looks like. It’s the greatest life anyone could imagine living. It’s a life of contentment, satisfaction, fulfillment and purpose. The reality is that what’s in our hearts will always work its way out of us, especially out of our mouths. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lips that acknowledge His name.” In Verse 176 the psalmist reveals the truth of worship. It says, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.” The reality is that no one on this planet is perfect and no one ever will be, this side of heaven, except King Jesus. The psalmist reveals that he doesn’t have it all together. He’s journeyed a long way with God so far, but he still has miles to go. He says that he needs Jesus today as much as he ever has. “Can I get a witness!” I need the good news (gospel) today; I need the gospel as much as I ever have. Paul writes in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul says in Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” God is not surprised that we haven’t arrived. God is patient knowing we still have a long way to go. I determine that I will be a worshiper of the King of kings and Lord of lords. I pray you will too. God bless you.
