Having grown up in a musical home, I started writing songs at an early age. Some have taken months—even years—to compose. Others have come together in minutes, as the lyrics leaped onto the page. One day, after contemplating what God truly desires from us in worship, I experienced one of those “instant song” (just add melody) moments as these lyrics flowed from my pen: It’s in the heart, not in the voice. It’s out of love, not out of choice.
That song excerpt captures what King Hezekiah of Judah lived out in 2 Chronicles 30. King Ahaz, the previous king, had “continued to reject the Lord” (2 Chronicles 28:22), but Hezekiah reopened the temple even as the people of Judah began reopening their hearts to God (2 Chronicles 29:3).
After getting the temple “restored to service” (2 Chronicles 29:35), the good king prepared his people to celebrate the Passover. In fact, he even invited the people from Israel (to the north) to come and join the festivities (2 Chronicles 30:1). But an issue surfaced that threatened this sacred festival of worship to God: If Hezekiah and the people were to celebrate the Passover on the prescribed dates, the priests would not be prepared in time and not all the people would have made it to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:3).
So what to do? Hezekiah pushed back the Passover one month. Even with that unheard of alteration, some of the people arrived late and weren’t properly cleansed for the ceremony (2 Chronicles 30:18). But the king allowed them to take part anyway, noting they had come with hearts that indicated their desire “to follow the Lord” (2 Chronicles 30:19).
Hezekiah revealed an important aspect of worship to God: It’s more important to have the right heart and attitude than to simply go through the motions in a certain way or at a certain time. Let’s worship God with truly devoted hearts today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 24:44-53
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 and consider what Paul taught us about examining our hearts prior to worshiping God.
Next:
How will you strive to show God a heart of worship today? Why is our attitude in worship more important than what we actually do?
dianalovesjesus2 on October 4, 2011 at 1:36 pm
This sooooooo speaks to me for this moment of time in my life!!! ….sooooo like our Lord to be precise to what I am going through!!! …..and sooooooo, I will pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord!” ….because it does always start with my heart!!
Thank you, Tom….for being an instrument at His disposal!! 😉 <3
tom felten on October 4, 2011 at 2:01 pm
dianalovesjesus2, you’re right—it does start with the heart! That’s why I’m so glad God has given us a new heart:” I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26).
metamorphosis on October 5, 2011 at 12:07 am
Thank you for your response Diana!! It IS so like our Lord to touch us with exactly what we are going through, and your reply hit home with me as well. I love it because I have found myself singing “Create in me a clean heart oh God, and renew a right spirit within me…” before I pray sometimes, just to get my heart and my head in the right place 🙂 How beautiful to hear those same words from you on the same subject! Thanks!
~Catherine~
winn collier on October 4, 2011 at 1:51 pm
It seems another expression of God’s kindness that he sees to the inner truth of me, to what I most desire even as I flub things up so well.
tom felten on October 4, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Amen, Winn. He sees our impurities and imperfections and still chooses to love. The heart of God is amazing!
peter becerra on October 4, 2011 at 3:52 pm
hi tom,
just read the article.
lthanks for the reminder to listen to His still small voice. loved the words it’s in the heart
…………. voice
…………. love
not out of service
what an awesome privelige to be in service
to our King, Lord Jesus!
tom, here are some words to a chrorus I just wrote yesterday. Could you give me feed some back, especially the word glory in the context of vessel?
A vessel of honor, glory, and praise
A vessel that magnify’s your name
A vesse of mercy, kindness, and grace
A vessel of your loved displayed
thanks, peterd
tom felten on October 4, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Beautiful lyrics, Peter! It reminds of me of 2 Corinthians 4:7: “we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.” Yes, we’re vessels of honor and glory—for we’re made in God’s image. Keep praising Him with your words!
bearpair on October 4, 2011 at 4:01 pm
What an excellent illustration of the role of the worship leader… thanks Tom! For years I was frustrated at the role of a choir/song leader in “worship” services, until I realized that one of the primary jobs of a worship leader was to help the people prepare their hearts, so that regardless of what songs were sung, God’s Spirit could move in & through them, bringing their full & complete attention to the King on his throne!
daisymarygoldr on October 4, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Lovely lyrics, Tom Felten! The key point here is: when people sincerely seek to honor God, even in an imperfect way, God accepts our worship.
The holiday season is fast approaching and people will be religiously going through the motions. It starts with the Fall festival continues with Thanksgiving, peaks at Christmas and declines into the dismal depths of holiday blues by New Year’s eve. Programs are planned, activities are organized, Church services are attended, songs are sung and prayers are piously mouthed.
Does God really delight in our external display of devotion by the outward observance of traditions on prescribed dates? When we worship God, He looks at the attitude of the heart, as you rightly pointed out.
Hezekiah’s Passover celebration was based on the knowledge of an eternal truth: God will not turn His face from you if you return to Him (2 Chronicles 30: 9). If we seek God with the right motive—to love Him with all our hearts, then He pardons all our failures and shortcomings.