3-Day Bible Reading Plan: Wise People Worship
“Worship is more than just singing on Sunday morning. It is about having reverence for God and remembering that He does not honor hypocrisy. Going through the right motions and performing the right kinds of rituals is not enough. Our hearts need transformation in order for our outward actions to have purpose and meaning…How does worship that is done with proper reverence and honor of God impact us? We know that it brings glory to God our Father, but how does it transform us?” - Pastor Daniel Johnson, 4/28/24
Day 1
Featured Verse: Ephesians 5:15-21 - Look Carefully How You Walk…As Wise
Cross References:
Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13-18 - Blessed is the One Who Finds Wisdom
Colossians 2:3 - In Him is Hidden all Wisdom and Knowledge
James 1:5 - If You Lack Wisdom, Ask God
Reflection:
Why does wisdom begin by fearing the Lord? In what ways do you fear God?
Why is wisdom personified as a wise woman in Proverbs 3? How does this word-picture help you understand the riches of wisdom more fully?
Since Christ possesses all wisdom and all knowledge, He is Himself the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge. Consider that when you ask God for more wisdom, you ask to become more like Him, more godly. Ultimately, asking for wisdom is a righteous request, which is why God grants wisdom generously (James 1:5).
“He who fears God considers how vain the world is, and therefore dares not love it; how short time is, and therefore dares not lose it; how precious salvation is, and therefore dares not neglect it.” - Thomas Watson
Day 2
Featured Verse: Colossians 3:16-17 - Singing Songs and Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Cross References:
Acts 16:25 - Paul and Silas Were Praying and Singing Hymns to God
Psalm 40:3 - He Put a New Song in My Mouth
Isaiah 12:2 - The Lord God is My Strength and My Song
Reflection:
Paul and Silas sang in prison and the prisoners listened to them. How many did God reach that night through their songs? If you sing quietly or not at all, take a moment to wonder whether there might be someone God will save by listening to your voice giving Him praise. How might this thought help you sing louder?
Psalm 40:3 declares that by our singing alone, many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. How might God use singing and praise as spiritual warfare (Psalm 149:5-9)?
What does it mean to call God “my song” (Isaiah 12:2)?
“He who sings a song to Christ in the night, sings the best song in all the world; for he sings from the heart.” - Charles Spurgeon
Day 3
Featured Verse: John 4:23 - Worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth
Cross References:
Psalm 96:9 - Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness
John 9:31 - If Anyone is a Worshiper of God and Does His Will, God Listens to Him
Job 1:20 - Job Fell On the Ground and Worshiped
Reflection:
How does worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth equate to worshiping the Lord in the beauty of holiness? Why is there beauty in holiness? How is that beauty a worship?
Answers to prayer are found in the balance between worship of God and doing His will (John 9:31). One cannot sing and dance and live as they like. Nor can they perform holy work without a heart of adoration. The believer with God’s favor is the one who makes their entire life a worship unto God (1 Corinthians 10:31). How might you do this?
Job lost everything, yet in his despair, he fell on the ground and worshiped. Worship is, in fact, a form of high prayer. It is “full body prayer,” if you will. Heart, soul, mind, and strength all acknowledging God (Proverbs 3:6). It is the business of Heaven on earth, a physical expression of our inward love for Christ. When was the last time your worship was known—to make Him known?
“Prayer has in its keeping the very heart of worship.” - E.M. Bounds