Employed in Praise

After King David brought the ark of God into Jerusalem and placed it in the tabernacle prepared for it, 1 Chronicles 16:4-6 says:  "And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel: ⁵ Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; ⁶ Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God."  David appointed Levites to commemorate (bring to remembrance), thank and praise the LORD together with stringed instruments, harps, cymbals and trumpets.

The picture of the Levites, sanctified and dedicated to remembering, thanking and praising God is fitting in light of His awesome majesty and holiness.  It makes me examine my priorities afresh when it comes to having paid staff at a church.  When there are few paid staff often they wear many hats.  It boosts efficiency when there are people to do building maintenance, office administration, financial reporting, teaching, training and pastoral care.  This wasn't the case for David and Israel, as there were many Levites serving besides these men, but imagine if a dedicated worship team was the first hire of a church body!  I wonder if those musicians in the tabernacle began to make names for themselves as they skillfully praised God.  It is a glorious feat (especially in our day with the ability to record and broadcast music) to continue to remember, thank and praise God faithfully, and God deserves no less.

I praise the LORD and thank Him for the skills He has given people to write music, play instruments and lift their voices to honour and glorify God.  All He has done, is doing and will do is praiseworthy.  Praise of God should not be reserved for a select few, for the final words of the book of Psalms exhorts all in Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"  Not all of us are called to lead worship; not all are called to teach or be missionaries.  However, all who have breath are called to remember, thank and praise the LORD God of Israel.  David said in Psalm 40:5, "Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."

Since the LORD our God is good, has done wonderful works and His favourable thoughts towards us cannot be recounted, let us praise Him.  In remembering our LORD we are moved to thank and praise Him.  Recounting our past can be a source of pain at times, but remembering the God Who was, is and is to come will fill our minds and hearts with joyful praise.  What has the LORD said and what has He done?  Those who fix their eyes on Jesus are like the elders that fall before the throne of God employed in God's praise in Revelation 4:11, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."  Let us remember, thank and praise our worthy God!