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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Worship (corporate) (10/04/07)
On Mt. Moriah, the Israelites gathered while Elijah laid down stone on stone. Evening crowded in, casting twelve long shadows as he finished the pile, the altar Israel. He scraped a trench, ringed the altar all around, and lifted dry, ripe sticks to cover the stones, then silenced the bellow of an unblemished bull with the edge of his knife. Blood ran down his arms as he laid red meat and white bone on black wood. Three times, he commanded four jars of water cover the sacrifice and prayed a holy rain. Then God’s power burned. Men fell, and the people worshiped.

In Jerusalem, David’s subjects gathered while the king pitched a tent for the ark of God. Unto the Lord who sent rain and gave Word, shook earth and preceded wanderers, David summoned eight hundred priests to sanctify themselves and pick up the staves while forty-eight musicians sang them in. Their way ran red every six steps with the wine of sacrifice, splashing the clean, fine hem of the king’s linen. Harps and psalteries rang, singers thundered, and David danced. Then the joy of the Lord came down. Men fell, and the people worshiped.

To the high place prepared for Him from time’s start, Jesus carried His burden. Around His wooden altar and ark, Jew and Gentile gathered. Pharisees and thieves jeered. Marys and fishermen wept. Blood flowed, and tears, and sweat, and water. Ground shook and thunder rolled. Stones shut and opened tombs. The curtain tore and the gates of hell collapsed. Then the King resumed His place and mounted His victory. Men fell and the people worshiped.

In heaven, John saw an open door where angels gather. There sits the King on His throne, bright in jasper and fiery carnelian. Twenty-four elders surrender their crowns. Four living creatures watch before and behind; lion, ox, eagle, and man, wielding wild wings. “Holy, Holy, Holy!” they cry, and then the glory of the Lord descends. Angels and men all fall, and worship.

From on high, the Lord watches as yearning souls gather, sacrifices on altars of living bodies and on crosses of broken hearts. This new covenant, born first in blood but reborn in freedom, still thrives in His power, still in His joy, now in His victory, forever in His glory. “Alleluia!” we shout as He comes again. Men fall, and worship.

From: 1Kings 18:30-39, 1Chron 15 and 16, 2Sam 6, Rev 4, Rom 12:1
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Member Comments
Member
Date
LauraLee Shaw
10/11/07
This is tastefully deep and powerful. It moved me.
Marita Vandertogt
10/13/07
Nice progression and build up toward the end... by the time I finished reading, my heart was worshipping too. Well done!
Joanne Sher 
10/13/07
Very powerful - you have some wonderful descriptions. Very worshipful :) Keep writing.
Beth LaBuff
10/15/07
I LOVE your OT examples of worship. Then with your center paragraph I was puzzled just for a second, then realized, yes, it's perfect. Jesus' death is at the center of our worship. Brilliant. Your ending is very powerful. Thanks!