Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7(NIV)
I'm always thinking about worship and what it truly looks like. You see I fail in my ability to always bring to God what he deserves therefore I examine and challenge my heart to take a good look inside and see it's intentions, it's motives. It's only out of a sincere heart of worship that the Lord is honored and given reverence. It is then that the worship experience has begun. God doesn't need a song for after all, Scripture says he is the song depositor; "He put a new song in my mouth" Psalm 40:3 What he desires from me it a genuine heart that desires to bless him.
He reminds me who I am; I'm his. He has made me his heir and co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17) It's out of a heart of gratitude that praise rises up. I can look at my life and know that the Lord's hand is shaping me. He takes a broken mess and makes something beautiful.
Sunday morning I was thinking about Adam . Adam was the first man that God created. Ever wonder what Adam's expression was when he saw his Maker? When he looked around and saw the beauty that his eyes beheld for the first time, what did he say? The Scriptures say that the Lord formed man and that he breath into his nostrils. When Adam beheld his Maker what were his first words?
God is Spirit. When Adam was created he was perfect, without sin and enjoyed great intimate fellowship with the Lord. Worship must have been as natural as breathing.
Overwhelmed by this thought of Adam's encounter with God lead me to ponder; did he talk, did he sing, did he bow, what did he do? I imagine he began to adore his Maker. A right relationship with God, no sin, no fallen flesh to compete with, no source of contention between his built-in desire to worship God and the ability to just bless the Lord.
Breath entering his lungs, the Spirit of God hovering over this clay that had just been formed. Made to reflect God. Made to return God's Glory back to Him. Made in the likeness of God; a spirit being clothed in flesh. No pain, no sickness, no envy, no strife, no jealousy, no arrogance, no....no...no. No need for anything for his life was made complete. I believe Adam must have adored God from the moment his eyes opened; from the moment he realized he was alive.
I can image Adam just singing to the Lord...Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me...bless his holy Name! It was perfect communion with God! What else does one do when encountered by God? Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me....bless his holy Name!
Though much time has passed since that day in the Garden, I believe this is also the heart of every soul who has trusted God's son Jesus with their very lives.
Yes, now we have pain, disease, selfishness has slithered in, every manner of sin, and our hearts at times are divided. But like David the psalmist said, Lord give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name! Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness. Psalm 86:11 There is still a cry deep inside that desires to magnify and glorify our Maker. I've been in the secret place where his presence is there; I've tasted of his goodness and he is real; I've dived into a flowing river that refreshed my soul; I've trusted in the finish work of the cross and I've been changed.
Yes,
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 105
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 105
If you are a parent you know the joy of hearing your child say 'mama" or "daddy" for the first time. It's thrilling! Just imagine the heart of God when you call his Name!
Glory to God!
