A joyful noise...

This morning, our men's group had a great time of prayer and devotional reading. We read from Ezra 3:10-13 about the rebuilding of the temple and the foundation that was laid. In verse 11, they gave thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endureth forever toward Israel. I also found it interesting that when the foundation was laid that the elders wept, while many shouted for joy. People afar couldn't tell the difference in sorrow or joy, just that they heard noise afar off.

Since then, I've been reading in Psalms 100. I am reminded that when we come into His presence, we are not to be silent and sit quietly in our seats. We are to make a joyful noise and come singing, it says. It doesn't say for the trained only to sing, but we should make a joyful noise one and all.

Too often, we worry about what others are thinking when we worship...what if I don't wear the right clothes, sing off-key, what if I raise my hand, etc. Yes, even in Baptist congregations, people raise their hands. It's not about the appearance...it's about the heart. God is about the heart!

In Matthew 6, Jesus said not to pray as the hypocrites, for they love to pray when in the synagogues and other places where they may be seen of men. We need to worship, serve, pray, sing, as if we were in a closet and only God Himself could hear us. That's what true worship is.

May you have a great day, and may you truly worship the Lord with all your soul, mind and strength...not because people are watching, but because the Lord is.