Two-Minute Manna

Here, the psalmist says, “Let us bow down. Let us kneel.” Clapping hands, standing in awe, lifting the head are all spoken of in the Scriptures as ways we can demonstrate worship. Although worship is stimulated in the heart and can be demonstrated through the body, I have found that sometimes demonstration through my body works stimulation in my spirit. That is, when I’m dry and I don’t sense the Lord’s presence as I once did, I find that when I bow my knees before Him or lift my hands to Him, something happens deep within me and my heart is stirred.

In the morning - when my mind might be foggy and my body might be tired - if I’ll kneel down before the Lord, if I’ll lift up my hands and praise His name, if I’ll sing loudly in my study, if I’ll worship enthusiastically, even though my spirit may not initially be on board, it doesn’t take long for it to respond accordingly. That’s why the psalmist doesn’t say, “Do these things if you feel like it.” He says, “Do these things, period.” Worship is not based on feeling. Worship is based on who God is. And He is merciful, generous, wonderful, and loving.

When the wise men made their way to Bethlehem, bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh, Jesus was not yet two years old. Thus, they obviously weren’t hoping to get anything from Him. Instead, they brought their gifts to Him simply because they realized that He was the Promised One, the King. Whether they felt anything or not was irrelevant.

All things were made by Him and for His pleasure. Therefore, when I am pleasing the Lord by worshipping Him, I am actually fulfilling the very purpose for my existence (Revelation 4:11).