Numbers 29:7 speaks of a solemn assembly. God says in the King James translation: “Ye shall afflict your souls.” Have you ever afflicted your soul? What does that even mean?
I looked at other transactions on Bible Gateway.com. Some say “humble yourself,” “fast and pray,” “do no work,” “deny yourself,” “be sober.”
Sometimes we are called to rejoice, to sing and shout and dance and eat and drink and party before the Lord, to exult in the Lord and be thrilled by all His goodness. But there are also times to be serious, to be sober, to be hungry even, times to be quiet before him, prayerful and penitent. Does your worship include both?
Are we teaching children not only to sing and shout before God, but also to be quiet, serious, introspective, and reverent?
The old timers may have erred on the side of sobriety, wearing black to every service and tolerating only silence and fear during church. But I hope our generation does not err on the side of too much celebration.
Sometimes we must “afflict ourselves.” Sometimes we must be silent and serious.
“There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4-5.
God, teach us to worship with ALL the emotions.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 