A man was taken from his prison cell to meet his fate. As he approached the firing squad the guard asked him if he had any lasts requests. The guard was intrigued when the prisoner refused a last meal. He even refused to see a loved one. "Are you sure there isn't something we can do for you before you are executed?" asked the guard. "My only request is that you allow me to sing my favorite song in it's entirety before you carry through your orders." said the prisoner. The guard relieved that he could do something for the man agreed. The prisoner began his song, "Ten Million bottles of beer on the wall, ten million bottles of beer...."

Music is very important to some people. In fact we all find a sense of identification with music. We identify with upbeat music at sporting events that get us pumped up. We relate to emotional songs at funerals. From fast to slow, loud to soft, country to rock, we all find some belonging in music.

Music actually comes from a very biblical and God created background. It was David who, inspired by God, instructed the people of Israel to praise God in song and with instruments. (Ps. 27:6; 33:2; 95:2) There were actually roles dedicated in the priesthood of the Levite family for playing music. (I Chron. 9:33, 25:7) I wonder how those early worship leaders sounded? God created and ordained this incredible way for us to enjoy and proclaim him through music. It's important to think about a few things as you seek to worship God.

Worship is parts mind and heart. While there must be great importance on truth, you cannot worship God without your heart. Isaac Watts states the critical role of the heart in worship; "He (God) has no regard to outward forms of worship, if there be no inward adoration." There is great emphasis through the book of Psalms on the expression and feelings of our heart being real. David numerous times expresses with anguish, exuberance, distress, or delight his feelings before God. It's not right to say that worship is a forsaking of the feelings of the heart for the purity of knowledge. God has created and purposed us to seek him in truth but with the passionate affections of our heart as well.

"God is most glorified is us when we are most satisfied in Him", explains John Piper. Worship is not a tool or a service. There is nothing we can give God that is worthy of his glory. Likewise worship is not a means to something else, it is an end in itself. When we find full satisfaction in God our worship is focused on receiving from God in the realization that we have nothing to give. Like the need for salvation we must come to worship hungry for who God is and the satisfaction He alone can bring.

Worship is not about duty, it's about delight. To find delight in the Lord beyond anything else, expressed in truth by your whole heart and affection, is true biblical worship.

-Josh