"Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified." (Psalm 40:16)

After they had gotten the ark situated and the tabernacle built, the Levites assumed their work was done and began to walk off. David immediately stopped them, telling them that their work had only just begun. You can hear the Levites complaining to David: "But, David! We just walked miles with the ark on our shoulders; we've prepared and sacrificed thousands of animals to the Lord. Aren't we done yet? And besides, there's no veil or Holy of Holies!"

David told them, "No. I didn't restore the Levitical office only to have the ark abandoned here like it was abandoned in Shiloh. Put your ephods back on. Get out your psalteries and harps again. Some of you can go eat lunch, but the rest of you are staying right here!"

The Levites, stunned at his command responded, "Well, who are we staying here for, King David? Do you want to listen to us play again? You hear us play all the time; we're tired and we've done enough."

David turned to them with a passion not understood by his Levites and said, "No, no, you're not playing for me - it's for God, an audience of One. He wants us to worship Him continually. There will never be a time when we've done it enough."

David appointed psalmists to tend to the ark day and night with musical praise, worship, and celebration.

We are so used to coming into the presence of the Lord. We feel His presence, acknowledge it with a few tears and words of praise, and we simply say, "Gotta go!" and we're on our way. Too often we want just enough of God to make us feel good or to give us the tingles or chill bumps up our spine. But He is asking, "Will you stay . . . will you spend time with me?"

Worship . . . an audience of One. It's not about us, our time schedules, our distractions, or our energy level. It's not even about whether we worship Him 5 minutes or 5 hours without ceasing.

God's passion is to be with us; He desires for us to have that same passion to be with Him.

God isn't asking for temporary visitation rights; He won't be satisfied until He has full custody.

Use David as your example and pursue the same passion for worship that David had and don't settle for less.

Father, please forgive me for being in a hurry, for not taking the time to linger in Your presence, for not seeking Your face with a passionate desire. Lord, forgive me for taking You for granted and for forgetting that my praise and my worship is for none other than You. Lord, You are my audience . . . my "Audience of One." Father, be blessed and exalted as I devote my life to worshiping You, amen.

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)

© Jan Ross
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