Jim Gallagher

1 Chronicles 13:8
“Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.”

Proverbs are brief popular sayings that give advice about how people should live. A very popular modern proverb states that “the ends justify the means.” In other words, how something is done is not nearly as important as getting it done. We might even say, “there is more than one way to skin a cat” (although, I personally have no desire for a skinned cat). There may be many cases where the ends justify the means, but David found, as it relates to worship and serving the Lord, the method is as important as the activity.

The nation joined with David to bring the ark to Jerusalem. They organized a worship team, put the ark on a cart, and began to worship as they made their way toward the city. Everything seemed to be going well, until the cart hit a pot hole and the ark tipped. In what seemed to be a heroic act, Uzzah reached back to keep the ark from falling, instead of being rewarded, he was killed.

This story should remind us, when we gather, it is important not only to worship and serve, but to do it Biblically. In some cases, it seems the church is trying too hard to create a moving atmosphere in worship, more than being true to the Word of God. While there may not be anything wrong with lights, images, and a bit of a hype team, we need to be careful that our goal is to honor the Lord, not just stir up the emotions of the people.

I once heard a man suggest, a secular concert was a spiritual experience, because the audience began to raise their hands in seeming worship. I would suggest that their reaction was not so much spiritual, as it was soulish or emotional. Worship is much deeper than the emotions. If all we do is attempt to stir people up, we are missing the point. Worship is designed to bring people into contact with God, and should always be done in a way that brings glory to God.

Pastor Jim