Orders of Worship

Text: Hebrews 9:1-10

Theme: God gave order to worship in the Old Testament to prepare us for the new order.

Key verses: “Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place…Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover…When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly in the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins…The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only…external regulations applying until the time of the new order” (v. 1-10).

What God said to me: Good morning. Are you feeling blessed sitting in this hotel restaurant in the middle of Zambia communing with me? You should. I’ve provided everything that is around you and all that you are experiencing on your Africa training tour is from my hand. I love order! I love intentional structure and processes–especially when it comes to the worship of me and my Son. Look at the great lengths I took to describe and prescribe each detail of the tabernacle in the Old Testament. I expected my priests and people to get every detail right. I expected them to layout the structure of the temple to include a Holy Place and Most Holy Place. In the Most Holy Place they placed the ark representing my presence with them. I gave specific orders to the priests of how often to approach me and of what they were to do. I gave all of these important directions because worship is important. It is of the utmost importance and priority to me. Thus, it should be to you as well. I am still the God of order and structure. My character hasn’t changed. Granted, my grace and mercy haven’t changed either. All the sacrifices the priests offered up in the OT were acceptable because of the blood my Son would be spilled in the not-to-distant future. The “new order” that has come because of my Son’s sacrifice is still an order. Don’t be mistaken, Dwayne. Just like the priests of old couldn’t just stroll into my presence any time and in any way they wanted. So it is today. People who would worship me must first be covered in the blood of Jesus. He is your only access to my holiness and divine presence. Worship me in the outer court of your body, and the Holy Place of your soul. But never forget that worship in those places is only acceptable because you also worship me in the Most Holy Place of your spirit, where my Spirit dwells with you. I am the source of your worship and of your very life.

What I said to God: Holy Lord, Elohim, Jehovah-Jireh, You are my joy and life. You are my reason to sing and worship every day. Forgive me when I try to skip the divine order You have laid down for worship. Forgive me when I try to worship with my body and mind when my deepest part is harboring sin and fellowship with you in my spirit has been broken. I know and You know when You are not on the throne of my heart.  I proclaim Lord of me today. I die to myself and claim the filling of Your Holy Spirit. Watch over my family back in the States, and continue to guide us on our Training Tour. I praise You for reminding me of the orders of worship and for the strength of Your grace to restore me when I try to break or ignore that order.