Present in Praise

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 13:1-3 (NIV)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ACTS 13:2

IN WORD

A lot can happen when people worship God.  Many disciples were gathered together in Acts 2, presumably for worship, when the Holy Spirit came upon them in wind and fire.  The church was born, the first sermon was preached, and amazing things began to happen in Jerusalem and beyond.  In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit spoke with instructions: Send out Barnabas and Saul.

There seems to be a connection.  When people worship God—really worship Him with love in their hearts and truth in their minds—the Holy Spirit is there.  That’s no coincidence.  He inspires our worship, and the more we worship, the more deeply He dwells with us.  The God who is enthroned on the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3, NASB) is mightily and manifestly present when we worship Him.  If we want Jesus to be in our midst, all we need to do is follow His instructions: Gather two or more in His name.  Worship brings the throne room of heaven into the company of our fellowship.
But He does more than just show up.  He also fills us and gives direction.  God may hesitate to instruct people who aren’t serious about following Him.  But a group of worshipers who have made it clear that He is their desire will hear Him.  The volume of His voice grows louder when we worship. At this point of genuine worship in the early church, a mission to a lost world was launched.

IN DEED  Have you ever wished for such specific direction from God?  Be careful what you wish for; an obedient heart is a prerequisite for hearing His voice.  But given such a heart, worship Him.  Praise Him in the company of others with similar hearts.

This gathering of the Antioch leaders to worship and fast is too infrequently repeated in our age.  But if we will spend our lives in worship, He will direct us in how to spend our lives.

Be not afraid of saying too much in the praises of God; all the danger is of saying too little. —MATTHEW HENRY

[From The One Year Worship the King Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]