Call to Worship: Recognize the Priority of Worship

Meditation on Ezra 3:1-7

Have you ever given serious thought to how you view worship in your life? Do you participate in worship, both public and private, on a regular basis? Do you recognize the priority of worship? If you do recognize the priority of worship, do you take time out of your busy schedule to worship?

The background of the passage on which this meditation is based on is crucial to the significance of this text. Ezra begins with the story of God's people returning to the Promised Land after a time of exile. God's judgment upon Judah was over.

Notice what one of the first things that God's people did after they returned to the Promised Land. Read Ezra 3:1-7:

"Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. They celebrated the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required; and afterward there was a continual burnt offering, also for the new moons and for all the fixed festivals of the Lord that were consecrated, and from everyone who offered a freewill offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food, drink and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians, to bring cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea at Joppa, according to the permission they had from Cyrus king of Persia" (NASB95).

I would like for you to take a few moments to brainstorm for reasons why you think the Israelites gave priority to worship. Now ask yourself, which reasons that you thought of might also be reasons for God's children to give priority to worship today?

Did you notice that the people first responded to God's work by rebuilding the altar at the site of the temple? Did you notice that they rebuilt the altar in accordance with the law of Moses? Did you notice that they worshipped God despite their fear of those surrounding them?

Why do you think regular worship, public and private, is essential for the work God accomplishes through us? How have recent worship experiences enabled you to serve God better?

What reasons do you have to praise God today? Tomorrow?

There are three biblical truths that need to be stressed for spiritual transformation with regards on recognizing the priority of worship in your life.

1. When God gives you opportunities to serve Him, you should respond to them with joy, gratitude, and determination.

2. Since the Lord's work actually is work the Lord accomplishes and since godless people often oppose those in His work, you who participate in His work need to maintain a close relationship with God through regular times of worship, both public and private.

3. You need to participate in corporate worship since public praise glorifies God, encourages believers, and is a witness to unbelievers.

My challenge to you and to myself is this: set aside more time each day for private worship.