Truth Encounter: Psalms and Worship

Imagine you're on death row in Huntsville, Texas. You're guilty of a capital offense and that night you face the lethal injection. But instead of your last meal, the cell is unlocked. You're handed a governor's pardon. Instead of eating surrounded with guards, you eat free surrounded with your closest friends. Imagine the relief, the joy, the thankfulness. Now turn to Psalm 51 and listen to this week's Truth Encounter. Let's drink in the joy that the murderer David experienced when he opened his heart to God's merciful forgiveness.

His head hurt. His bones ached. His spiritual life was cold and dead. He could remember when his worship was hot, when he could burst into dances of praise and thanksgiving. Where did he lose his song of praise and could he ever find it again. Turn to 2 Samuel 11 and 12 and listen to this weeks Truth Encounter—Exposing a Cover Up.

Pastors and church leaders spend hours and hours trying to figure out why folks would rather stay home and read the paper or hit the greens for a good round of golf on Sunday morning than worship. I’m all for figuring out what we can do to attract more folks to come and worship, but I also think we need to face a hard fact. We can research and come up with a host of things that turn off a desire for worship, but 2 Samuel 11 and 12 reveal what destroys worship faster than anything. Listen to this week’s Truth Encounter and see if you agree.

Have you ever thought Is God even there? Why all this trouble? I thought He was the giver of all blessings? Why do I get manure instead of diamonds? In most of our public prayers we say the flowery things, but in old Israelite worship, they could get honest about the hard questions. Turn to Psalm 44 and then listen to this weeks Truth Encounter—Freedom to Cry Before the Lord.

Do you feel like an outcast? Has your heart been broken and feels like it cant be healed? At night look up and the stars and in the day stop and look at the green grass in the fields—they're seeking to connect with the only One who can make you feel accepted—the One who can heal your broken heart. Near the end of the Jewish hymnbook theres a lyric to a praise song you've got to hear. Turn to Psalm 147 and listen to this weeks Truth Encounter.