“…in the eighth year of his reign (Josiah), while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his faith.” 2 Chronicles 3:3
When the nation of Israel was at the pinnacle of blessing during the reign of Solomon, especially at the time when the temple was built and consecrated to God, there was the manifestation of the glory of God. Scripture tells us that when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to rest in the temple, the priests having come out of the temple, and the Levites, who were singers, began to sing, those who blew the trumpets accompanying them, that with the music and the praise of God, “…the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 5:13) The subject of the song which the Levites sang was the following: “For He (God) is good; for His mercy endures forever.” It was then that the glory of the Lord was so powerfully revealed that the priests could no longer stand to minister. God’s glory filled the house of God.” Why is this event so very important when considering a strategic grasp of Worship? The answer has to do with first things, primary and fundamental things, that are essential to know and believe, so that the relationship between God and man can be understood in part, but in truth. By the knowledge of His ways, it is possible to truly know Him, and be brought into conformity with His eternal will, and purposes.
It was the Lord Jesus who spoke of first things when he was confronted by Satan in the wilderness, being tempted by him. When Satan told the Lord Jesus that “all the kingdoms of the world,” their power and glory, he would give to Jesus if He would worship Satan, the Lord responded by saying: “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (Luke 4:8) In that simple statement is presented to all men everywhere, for time and eternity, the picture of “first things,” things that are fundamentally absolute in man’s relationship with God as opposed to the kingdoms of this world. First and foremost is the true worship of God, not only that recognition of Holy and true God of Creation and Redemption in Christ, but the essential element of worship being the bending of the knee, the surrender of the life and will to God, to be His, and His receiver of a new life in Christ and all things good. If there is to be a right relationship with God, then there must be the embracing of the sole object of faith of supreme worth and eternal blessing, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All “idols,” ideas and persuasions of sinful men, or of Satan, which exist independently of God, are to be forsaken. We see a practical application of this when in the days of Josiah, when as a young king he began seeking the Lord. Within a few years, after seeking the Lord and learning more of His ways, he saw very clearly that idolatry had absolutely no place in his own heart, nor in his kingdom. The worship of God had to take precedence over all else.
When in the history of Israel, just before Saul was anointed king, the nation was in great spiritual decline. The Ark of the Covenant had been taken by Israel’s enemies, and for a time was kept there. Eventually, it came to rest for approximately twenty years in the house of one named Abinadab. During this time Israel lamented after the Lord. In other words, since the primacy of worship was not observed, and the people had drifted into idolatry, practicing the godless religions of those around them, there was a dearth, a spiritual desert experience. It would only by after the people obeyed Samuel the prophet, putting away the foreign gods, that they were enabled worship God in truth. God would restore them to true blessing, and deliverance from their enemies.
Dear Father, Teach us to worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.