2 Chronicles 30:21 So the people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem joyously celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. Each day the Levites and priests sang to the LORD, accompanied by loud instruments.
A woman entered a Haagen-Dazs store on the Kansas City Plaza for an ice-cream cone. After making her selection, she turned and found herself face to face with Paul Newman. He was in town filming the movie Mr. and Mrs. Bridge.
Newman’s blue eyes caused her knees to buckle. She managed to pay for her cone, and then left the shop, heart pounding. When she gained her composure, she realized she didn’t have her cone.
She started back to the store to get it and met Newman at the door. "Are you looking for your ice-cream cone?" he asked. She nodded, unable to speak. "You put it in your purse with your change."
When is the last time you felt that way in the presence of God? In today’s verse the Israelites are getting back to the way they should have been all along. As they stood in God’s presence they worshipped joyfully. For seven days! They didn’t notice the passing of time, they were too busy being with God.
I have been in churches where if the worship leader asked the congregation to stand for “too long” people started murmuring.
I have heard people whine about the worship songs that were chosen. “I don’t like those new choruses,” or, “I hate those old hymns…”
Here’s my point: if you are truly worshipping joyfully, lost in God’s presence, you won’t have time or energy to criticize, you’ll be too busy enjoying God in a personal way.
So this Sunday morning tilt back your head, open your mouth and praise God with all you have. You’ll be amazed at how different worship time will be for you. In fact, you don’t have to, and shouldn’t wait for Sunday. Right now, wherever you are, SING!
Today’s Readings: 2 Chronicles 29-31; James 4
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