THE BEAUTY OF BEING BARE
They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.
Nehemiah 9:3 (NIV)
There are seven Hebrew words in the Old Testament for worship, each revealing a distinct aspect or expression of it. The one we’ll consider today is yadah, defined in Jewish tradition as: to throw or cast, to hold out hands in confession and surrender.
Today’s Scripture is an example of this form of worship. Worship through confession and surrender. Jerusalem’s wall had just reached completion, sparking revival among the people. This is a powerful moment in Israel’s story. The people who had once been sent into exile for turning away from God were now standing together for hours, humbly listening to His Word, admitting their sins, and worshiping Him. They did what? They read the Bible and spent a long time confessing their sin before God in front of each other. I can’t imagine! Not a party for their new beginning as a community?
There are certainly times for parties. The Israelites, for example, had festivals – weekly, monthly, annually and seasonally. When they weren’t celebrating, they were likely preparing for the next celebration. But worship is not always marked by songs of freedom and deliverance. Those times are great, but worship can also be expressed through confession and surrender. It’s a time to be honest. A time to be naked, as it were, before the Lord. Stripped bare. Fully human, face-to-face with a holy God. Where else in the world can you go with guilt and shame and not receive judgment? This form of worship is one of surrender. Bring all of you–including the broken parts–to the God who redeems and forgives.
APPLICATION: When was the last time you were completely yourself with God? Come to Him as you are. He already knows what you’re thinking and feeling. Spend time being bare–completely and freely honest–with God today.
PRAYER: Father, I come to You with open hands and an honest heart. I bring to You the broken parts of me. The sin that still has a hold on me. The ways I’ve failed to love You and others. Today, I lay everything down. I cast all of who I am upon You so that I can experience more of You. This is my act of devotion and worship. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?