Tell Everyone

 "Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing praise to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds." I Chronicles 16:1-36

 

I sat there in quiet reflection as he spoke. It was my wedding rehearsal dinner and my dad got up to speak. He's not known for keeping his comments short, but on this night, in this moment, with every word, he nailed it. In front of all my family and my wife's family, he verbalized very personal and specific reasons why he was proud of me. Very few things in this old world encourage and inspire one's heart like sincere public affirmation from someone we love and respect.

 

As David and the people of Israel brought the Ark of God's covenant into Jerusalem, there was only one person on their minds and hearts -- Yahweh, the only true and living God. He and he alone dominated the affections of their hearts. Catch the flurry of commands David uses to direct this worship moment: Give thanks, Proclaim, Sing, Tell, Exult, Search, Seek, Remember, Recognize, Give glory, Bring offering, Shout, Cry out, Rejoice and Praise. To worship God, as it is revealed here, is to publicly acknowledge who God is and all he has done. 

 

Tell everyone. Our public acknowledgement of God is not something he needs. It is not something that encourages him or inspires him as it does us. Nope, but it certainly pleases him. To worship him in this way lines us up with how he created us. It reveals a person who is living consistently with who they are. That reality makes him smile. No growing relationship with Jesus can ever be experienced without a genuine heart of worship. So, let's sing! Let's proclaim! Let's rejoice! Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds!

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