Worship

22. April 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Okay, this is a review of the scripture that we are studying.  

 I Samuel 1:1 “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And this man went up out of his city yearly  to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts inShiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.” 

Now, that we have done the historical context let’s discuss our text.  For review purposes, we know that this particular story takes place in the time of the judges.  We know from our history study, that this season was a season where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”  This means that there was little respect for the things or house of God.  The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were the priests that were in charge of the tabernacle.  A typical day when you went to the “house of God” could include you seeing them having sex with the woman who helped out there, you could possibly see them drunk or engaging in some other type of sin.  The bible says that they were “evil” and “wicked” and they were the leaders in God’s house.    Now, look at our text. “  And this man went up out of his city yearly  to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts inShiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.”   

Elkanah, which was Hannah’s husband, went up yearly to worship.  In the midst of the chaos, in the midst of  all the wrong doings by the leaders of God, in the midst of all the foolishness that he may see when he got to the “house of God” he still went up yearly and kept the custom of worshipping and sacrificing to God.   Ohhhh,  I love this.  Often, we give so many excuses as to why we do not like to attend church.  We say things like;  “the preacher is no good”, “the people are hypocrites,”  “ all they’re going to do is ask for money,” etc. , so we use it as an excuse to shut down and to make ourselves feel okay about not gathering together to worship with the saints.     Gathering together with the saints is “still God’s way.”  It is still required according to the scriptures and the text actually says that we should do it more as the day approaches.     Hebrews 10:25 “ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” 

No, I am not making excuses for what we see and experience in some of our churches and gatherings that is not God, but what I am saying is that we have a biblical model of a man who was so determined to worship God in spite of what was wrong that he continued to do the right thing even when his leaders were out of line.    A worshiper can worship anywhere.  A person who has built a relationship with God does not need a “perfect situation” (if such a thing exists) to connect to God.  Elkanah  went up and worshiped.  He took his family with him.  He didn’t allow the signs of the times and distractions of his leaders to interfere with his relationship with God and staying on track.    

Worship, the thing that moves the heart of God.  The thing that God desires from his creations.  The thing that God seeks after.   Ohhhhhhhhhh,  I can’t take it.   A worshiper can survive in the midst of a changing time, in the midst of a society that walks away from God, among a people that have created their own ways of doing things.   A worshiper stays focused and even if they get off track, they have an ability to get back through worship. 

OHHHHHHHHHH ,  the power of worship.   Okay, you see I’m getting caught up.   

But now, we have a problem, the story takes an interesting turn.  Tune in tomorrow to continue our journey.    God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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