“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Leviticus 9

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:6-8

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - moving on to chapter nine - Powerful Worship - covering Leviticus 9:1-24, looking specifically at the theme - Powerful Worship Includes Submission to God's Word. Here, the commentary examines the broad brush of how God commanded Moses and the Israelites regarding the details of worship.  In the inaugural worship (described as powerful per my post yesterday), "God's people in worship submitted to what God had said regarding worship." The implication is clear: while the ceremonial law, including the Old Testament sacrificial system, no longer applies, God still seeks an appropriate worship from believers, as our worship reflects how we submit to God's Word, and it is how we relate to God.  The commentary notes "three ways worship relates to submission of God's Word":

1. "We Submit to God's Word by the Act of Worship": throughout scripture (see Psalm 96:8-9, John 4:23, Matthew 6:10, and Revelation 4:8 as examples) God commands us to worship.  The commentary exhorts believers to see how we must attend church weekly as "[n]othing is clearer, more fundamental, and more imperative in God's Word than God's people gathering to give worship and praise to God.  We submit to God's Word by the act of the worship."
2.  "We Submit to God's Word by the Way We Worship": We are to sing praise to Him; we are to be contrite - so humility and confession are important; we are to pray; we offer gifts and tithes; and we read and examine scripture. "God's Word does not tell us to critique what others do in worship, but to worship.  We are not spectators, we are participants.  The almighty, holy, sovereign God meets with us in worship.  He has told us to gather to worship Him, and He has told us what to do in worship."
3. "We Submit to God's Word by a Life of Worship": God does not need animal sacrifices as described in Leviticus, and He does not want empty rituals  - He wants our heart. We are encouraged to fully submit to God in all areas of our life.  We are encouraged to follow Micah's words (Micah 6:6-8).  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided amazing churches for me to experience powerful worship.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me in this way, or in any way.  I am full of anger and harsh words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.