1. Ezra 3:10–11 (ESV)
  2. Application

Worship as centre of life

Ezra 3:10–11 (ESV)

10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the directions of David king of Israel.

The people of God were getting ready for a time of exuberant worship. They have got their garments and their instruments, and they are going to go have a worship service. This is a clear demonstration that worship was the very centre of their life together. They did not throw a big party, congratulating people and giving out medals to the people that worked the hardest and logged the most hours. This was not about man's effort, this was about what God had done, and so they were there to worship God…

As a redeemed human being, there is nothing that is more important than your worship. Think of one thing that is more important than worshipping the God who made you and saved you. There is nothing more important. Not raising your kids, not being a good husband or wife. Nothing is as important as those things are. By the way, if you are worshipping and that is your priority, those other things become obvious, right? Those are no-brainers, but the reality is that your highest calling and your highest privilege, your highest and ultimate priority, is the worship, praise, and thanksgiving of God. This is what you are made for. It is what you are redeemed for.1

Brian Borgman