Published by Barnabas International • PO Box 11211 • Rockford, IL 61126 • Volume I • No. 12 • December 1987
LEE HOTCHKISS, Executive Director <> LAREAU LINDQUIST, Founder
A phrase from a familiar Christmas carol has persistently been on my mind and lips in the past few weeks…"O come let us adore Him."
The phrase, of course, is reminiscent of the text in Matthew 2:11 which describes the visit of the wise men to the infant Lord Jesus. It says that when they saw Him, "…they fell down and worshipped Him."
A.W. Tozer often wrote about WORSHIP. He called it, "the mission jewel" in describing the evangelical church of his generation. If it was an accurate assessment of the church in the 50's, it is more so descriptive of the church in the 80's.
Indeed, we do not know very much about WORSHIP…about ADORATION. Both publicly and privately, many of us are kindergartners in our understanding and practice. Often we are not willing to take the time nor to exercise the discipline necessary to truly worship and adore Him. We try to meet Him on the rush, instead of taking time for the hush. We are contented to know about Him without really knowing Him. We take a glance into His face, but know little of a steadied, unhurried gaze into the beautiful face of the Lord.
And…we are the poorer for our neglect of ADORATION.
All of us in Christian ministry are busy people. Often we are time-pressured with too many personal demands placed on us by others, or perhaps, self-imposed. We so desperately need to step back and take a look at priorities. We need to slow up now and then. There needs to be some time daily for a quiet meeting with the Lord. Occasionally there needs to be a prolonged and protracted period alone with Him…FOR THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP AND ADORATION.
God said to Isaiah, "Be still…and know that I am God."
Jesus said to His followers, "Come apart and rest awhile."
God wants to meet you and me. When you are willing, He will give you full attention. He has all the time in the world for private meetings with you and me.
What exactly is Adoration? It is deliberate, persistent, uninterrupted focus upon the Lord. It is a focus on Him…on His attributes…on His nature…on His promises…on His resources…on His names.
Often I find that it is helpful to have my Bible open at such times. I also enjoy the hymn book as an aid in ADORATION. Above all, I need blocks of designated time for personal WORSHIP AND ADORATION.
Perhaps Christmas '87 could be the time when you discover or rediscover the magnificence of ADORATION as did the wise men so long ago. I pray that your New Year will be marked by new dimensions of WORSHIP AND ADORATION.
