DAVID’S LIFESTYLE OF WORSHIP (4)

“SING to Him, sing psalms to Him; TALK of all His wondrous works!” – 1 Chronicles 16:9

DAVID’S LIFESTYLE of WORSHIP is a delightful Model that can inspire dynamic Worship in us: “SING to Him, sing psalms to Him; TALK of all His wondrous works!” (1Chr.16:9). Worshipping God has the double benefit of delighting Him and strengthening us. As one of Bible’s greatest models, King David’s psalms reveal a heart of sincere worship: humbly acknowledging God's Superiority in the world and in his heart, staying fixed on His Word and Will, and offering passionate devotion in intimate and extravagant ways. Just like us, David had moments of doubt, fear, and folly. But through it all, he acknowledged and demonstrated the power of worship and turned it into a lifestyle. Here are five wonderful ways to bow down and worship like David:

Sing to Him: “Sing to him, sing praise to him…” (v.9). From a young age, David wrote and sang songs of prayer and praise to God. As a King, he made music an integral part of the worship services, appointing instrumentalists and singers by the hundreds. He proclaimed in Psalm 30:4, “Sing the praises of the Lord, you His faithful people…” The Israelites experienced the power of music to: Bring the congregation into worship; nurture a spirit of unity; and encourage and uplift. In worship, choosing a style is less important than finding songs to express our beliefs, thoughts, and even feelings in a biblical way.

Seek His Face: “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore” (v.11). Seeking something requires more than just a quick search. To seek is to: explore, chase, or pursue. David knew that the only Object worthy of that kind of search is God. Looked at in that light, seeking is necessary for a worshipful life. Seeking God changes a person's heart. Delighting in and chasing after God produces certain godly virtues, namely: Contentment – “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psa.37:4); and Discernment – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way” (Psa.37:23).

Remember His Wonders: “Remember His marvelous works…” (v.12). David was continually aware of God's Presence, and he wanted the people of Israel to share in that experience. But he knew the tendency to set God aside, especially when life is running smoothly. To help prevent that pattern, David often recalled God's past works. Each account of what God has already done isn’t just ancient history,but a building block that strengthens our trust in Him. They remind us that: God is our Blesser (Psa.5:12); God is the stronghold of our lives (Psa.27:1); and God is faithful (Psa.51:1).

Bring an Offering: “...bring an offering and come before him” (1Chr.16:29). David was faithful to give diverse kinds of sacrifices as his ancestors did. But he believed there was a deeper sacrifice he could offer his Lord. Overflowing with appreciation and awe, David let his praise literally pour out of his body on many occasions. He offered his whole self to God through: Dancing (2Sam.6:14-15); making music (1Sam.16:23), and bowing down (Psa.5:7). His passionate outward displays came from a humbled heart and submitted spirit. He was willing to admit his weaknesses, and embrace his need for the God who would build him up: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You. My whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water” (Psa.63:1).

Give Thanks: “Oh, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…” (1Chr.16:34). Giving thanks was an important part of David's worship life. In every season and  circumstance, he found reasons to honour God. As King, he tried to set an example for Israel of making praise a regular habit. In his Psalms, David gives a glimpse of ways to give God thanks as a natural part of our worship every day: Publicly – in the great assembly (Psa.35:18); continually (Psa.145:2); with a grateful heart (Psa.147:7); and unconditionally (Psa.9:1). Having an "attitude of gratitude" tranforms us from self-centered to God-focused people; grumbling turns into glorifying!