Order in our worship

At first glance, Ezekiel's words can seem like a long list of "religious rules" and perhaps even a little confusing for us. However, there is reminder for me in these instructions and that is how our worship can benefit from order. Of course, we need to balance 'order'  with 'freedom', but Ezekiel's vision certainly helps people know how to approach God in their worship times.

“‘When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate. ¹⁰ The prince is to be among them, going in when they go in and going out when they go out. - Ezekiel 46

Over the centuries the Christian church has vacillated from the extremes of stifling order in our worship into times of chaotic freedom. It is our role as Christian leaders to discern the move of the spirit and not to restrict God's movement, but also to allow for sincerity in our worship. It is not an easy thing to do, but it seems that even Paul tried to manage this: 

1 Corinthians 14:26 -[ Good Order in Worship ] What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

Any thoughts?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Chaos

Most days the world seems to be in chaos. I wonder sometimes if there will ever be a period of peace and order in our world? Just when I feel as if I have reached rock bottom I am reminded, again and again, that God creates order out of Chaos. God can work a miracle from the mess of our lives and the lives of those around us. We just need to give God space to work and to trust in his divine plan.

2 Peter 3:5-7 - They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God’s word.

 

Let us bring the chaos of our lives to our Creator and ask him to make something beautiful out of the pieces of our brokenness.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3