LESSON 23
FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH
WORSHIP To worship is to give adoration, reverence, and praise. Everyone worships someone or something, even themselves. God calls us to worship Him, solely and wholeheartedly. True worship is the “continual heart attitude of bowing down in reverence and humility before the supreme Lord and Creator of the universe.” 62 It is obedience to the command to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). We can worship God in everything we do (Col. 3:17), in addition to the time we set aside to focus on Him. As believ- ers, we also come together for regular, intentional corporate worship. God’s people have been worshiping Him from the very beginning, and we see a beautiful example at the dedication of the wall in Nehemiah 12. The leaders purified themselves, the people, and the place so they were fit to offer their praise to a holy God. They formed two large choirs for the pur- pose of singing; they offered sacrifices; they offered thanksgiving; and they rejoiced—all to and for Him. After repenting of their sin, they experienced a renewal in their hearts and rededicated themselves to the covenant. Israel was deeply moved to express their profound gratitude and joy to the Lord for His righteousness and faithfulness toward them. All this started with the public reading of God’s Word. “And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and chil- dren also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away” (Neh. 12:43).
4. What is important about the response of the people at the dedication of the wall? (See v. 43.)
62 “What is the definition of worship?” Got Questions: Your Questions, Biblical Answers. March 2025. https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-worship.html
Nehemiah 11:1–12:47 | 237
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