Devotional Continued

Consider what happens in singing a song of worship. Perhaps the Lord gave us a visual picture in the Old Testament offering of incense. The incense caught fire, flamed brightly and then a fragrant cloud of smoke poured heavenward to the very nostrils of God. And He was pleased. Had the incense not caught fire, there would be no smoke, so the remarkable fragrance would be lost on all save the one standing closest to the source. What a remarkable picture for worship. A heart set to flame by the Spirit will burn bright. And melodies will pour forth spiraling heavenward into the very ears and heart of God. And He will be pleased. If the heart is not burning brightly, passionately for Him it is unlikely the melody will reach beyond the immediate audience. A worshiping singer is aware of his/her offering, conscious of a glowing heart ember as it produces a stream of fragrant melody. A worshiping singer will focus on the direction and destination of the offering, allowing the temporal present to fade as the sacrifice of praise expands, and fills the Temple of eternity. Thus the song of the worshiper gives voice to the burning heart and lifts heavenward the fragrance of love to be inhaled by the very Breath of Life.

Food for Thought
1. According to Psalm 66:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, what is the responsibility of one worshipping in song?

2. Compare Exodus 30:8, Psalm 89:1 and Psalm 104:33. What do these verses tell you about your fragrant offering of song to the Lord?

Copyright © 2000 by Kimberly Hannay ShoupAll rights reserved.