On your feet now—applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.
Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
Psalm 100 (MSG)
In the Old Testament, we read over and over about how God brings His people to a posture of remembrance. We see Him appoint times, days and seasons to set aside the daily routine for the sacred act of uniting together in praise and thanksgiving so that we may never forget His faithfulness.
We see this as God instructs the Israelites to continue the feast of Passover (Exodus 12vs24~28)
We see this in the command to observe the Sabbath as God did (Exodus 20vs8~11)
We see this is the 12 stones stacked on the other side of the Jordan River (Joshua 4vs4~7)
But these appointed moments are not ancient Old Testament traditions. They continued far into the Gospels and into our lives today (even if the current culture has forgotten them). We see the life and works of Jesus highlight each and every moment in time where God called for remembrance. Especially on His last night. In the most memorable act this world could comprehend, Jesus left us the gift of communion. Not to use as an act of routine religion, but a priceless opportunity to engage in the remembrance of Salvation.
"For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.
For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
Luke 22vs16~20When we were unworthy, Jesus broke the bread and poured out the wine and shared this meal.
He shared this meal with one who would betray Him, He shared it with sinners, He shared it with doubters. He shared it with you.
He gave it to you so that each time you come before him to eat and drink of the Sacraments, you may remember the walk He took to the cross bearing your sin and shame and rebellion so that you did not have to. You did not and will never have to bear the eternal consequences for your imperfection.
However, let us not mistake this… You have been saved from suffering at the cross, but you are not exempt from the sacrifice. Your sacrifice however is not one of your life on a Roman cross, but a sacrifice of praise that no matter what you are facing, whatever season you are in, your eyes and your heart, your soul, spirit and body praise the Lord.
We don't worship because God needs to be reminded of who He is, we don't just worship to join in with the heavenly realm. We Worship because it lays us in a place of unforgettable surrender to His guiding hand. We call to mind all He has done and we allow it to move us to nothing other than pure praise. Praise that’s not dependent on what I see in life but WHO I see in God. That’s where He is found, we enter His throne room with thanksgiving and the presence of His courts with Praise.
The older I get, the more aware I am of the extreme gratitude I have for each and every season of life that the Lord has gifted me with. It’s so easy to neglect the appreciation for the present moment, especially in challenging and testing times. But years later, when you discover that those valleys are the crevices that shaped your character and belief system, you stumble upon a heart bursting with thankfulness.
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits ~who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103vs1~5~ X ~
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