WORSHIP FROM WITHIN

2 Samuel 6 records that David was so joyous over bringing the ark of God back to Jerusalem that he threw aside his kingly robe, leaping and dancing with all his might in only a linen ephod down the streets of Jerusalem. Unrehearsed and unhindered, David was expressing with his body a worship that welled up within his spirit.

When the humble little village girl from Nazareth, Mary, received the affirmation of her divine pregnancy and the blessing of her faith by Elizabeth; unrehearsed and unhindered, Mary burst into song. Her beautiful hymn of praise has been known through the centuries as Mary's Magnificat.

Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-47)

Mary used a rather remarkable word to describe the state of her spirit. The word she used for "rejoiced" is a word that described a certain exulting dance - a leaping dance. In effect, Mary was saying: "My spirit has danced like David before the ark - it has leaped and rejoiced in God my Savior."

The Holy Spirit gave Mary the vocal release to express the truth that was within her womb. The fountain of the Holy Spirit was springing up within Mary's spirit and flowing forth from her lips. Her sanctified inner nature thrilled to the touch of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God flowed from her tongue.

How do you picture Mary as she released this worship from within?

In my mind's eye, I see her sort of like Julie Andrews in the opening scene of The Sound of Music - arms outstretched, head thrown back, twirling around and moving her body gracefully in the sheer ecstasy of overflowing, joyous worship that flowed from within. But that's just me. You may see her another way. And that's okay too. Scripture doesn't describe her posture so we're left to our own individual imaginings and interpretations.

What IS clear from scripture, however, is that as Mary shared her joy with Elizabeth, the eyes of her understanding were enlightened by the Spirit of God. She had the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ dwelling within her - her whole body thrilled with a joy that none before her had ever known!

Mary's worship that flowed from within - her outburst of joyful song - was in sharp contrast to the rituals of worship that were common in her day. So much of the old form of worship had to do with sacrifices, prescribed offerings, special robes, burning of incense, etc. Occasionally there had been a David who could rise in joyful response to God - but they were not the norm.

What Mary expressed in her song - and even Elizabeth in her blessing - was an informal release of the inner joy of relationship with Jesus. Worship that had become locked into ceremony, formality, ritual or service by the priesthood was now released in joyful response to a living person rather than an absent deity.

And don't miss the fact, sweet sisters, that this worship flowed from the hearts and mouths of two humble women - women who, in the Jewish religion of their day, would never have been allowed beyond the Court of the Women in the Temple.

It was Jesus - only a tiny spec of humanity within Mary's womb at this point in time - but the indwelling Christ nonetheless - who inspired and directed this worship from within these women. From that time forth and forever more, outer rituals of worship would pale in comparison to the inner realities of worship. The direction of worship would come from the indwelling Spirit rather than from the written words of the Law.

Oh, precious sisters, let the indwelling Spirit within you bubble up into overflowing worship today. Let the Word of God flow from your lips as it did Mary's because you, like her, have a heart that has stored up its treasures.

The next time you come into a worship service and they are not singing the songs you like, or there is a guest speaker you don't particularly relate to, or some child in front of you is wiggly and distracting - can you tune out those outer "rituals" and circumstances? Can you focus on WHO is within you - the living Christ is your inner reality. Respond lovingly to what He has done for you. Worship HIM! Worship from within!