So, what does worship look like?  There are many, many instances of worship in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament as well.  I "stumbled" upon one in my devotions this morning that really struck home, and I'd like to share it.  1 Chronicles 16 records the bringing of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, after having passed through many delays and adventures that one can read about in 2 Samuel 6.  1 Chronicles 16, however, puts the typical "devotional / applicational" spin on the historical account.

Worship begins with "getting right with God."  "So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.  (2)  And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD."  (1 Chronicles 16:1-2)  One should never come into the presence of God empty-handed.  There is always a sacrifice of praise to be offered; there is always a recognition of how much God has blessed us that needs to be acknowledged.

Next, David enlisted the aid of the people.  "And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine."  Critics and liberals would point to this and say, "David bribed the people into worshipping God."  I don't see it as a bribe; I see it as an invitation.  David was going to worship, and he wanted all of his people to worship as well.  This was an invitation to worship; encouragement to worship.  It also pointed out how much God had blessed, that their king was able to bless every man and woman with the necessary supplies to encourage worship.  There's nothing like the recollection of a blessing to encourage worship more!

Next, David "tuned up the orchestra."  "And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:  (5)  Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;  (6)  Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God." (1 Chronicles 16:4-6.)  

Finally, having set the stage, David commenced the worship service . . . David, himself, led the "opening hymn."  "Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren." (1 Chronicles 16:7.)  

The stage is set.  Stay tuned for the worship service!