Daily Worship (July 05)

Hebrews 10:19–25 (NIV)
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Devotional Thought
One of the greatest gifts of the gospel is that we can draw near to God with confidence. Before Jesus came, God’s people approached him through priests, sacrifices, and the temple. Their sin kept them at a distance. But everything changed through Jesus. His death opened the way into God’s presence. Now we are invited to come near to our heavenly Father with confidence and joy.

This passage reminds us that prayer is not about trying to earn God’s attention. We do not have to convince him to listen or perform well enough to deserve an audience. Because of Jesus, the door is already open. We come as beloved children to a loving Father.

This connects directly to Jesus’ words, “Our Father in heaven.” Prayer begins with relationship before it moves to requests. Many people think prayer is mainly about asking God for help. While God certainly invites us to bring our needs, the greatest gift of prayer is God himself. We were created to know him, enjoy him, and walk with him every day.

The writer of Hebrews also reminds us that this is not merely an individual privilege. We are called to draw near together and encourage one another. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father,” not “My Father.” Prayer reminds us that we belong to God’s family.

As you pray today, slow down before you begin asking for anything. Remember who God is and who you are because of Christ. Spend time enjoying your Father. Thank him for welcoming you into his presence. As you draw near to him, he continues to shape your heart to become more like his.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does the book of Hebrews explain why believers can now approach God with confidence?
• Observation: What reasons does the writer give for drawing near to God without fear?
• Meaning: What does it mean to “draw near with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings”?
• Main Idea: What is this passage teaching us about the privilege of coming into God’s presence?
• Application: How would your daily prayer life change if you focused first on enjoying your relationship with your heavenly Father instead of simply bringing requests?

Prayer
Father, thank you for welcoming me into your presence through Jesus Christ. Help me to enjoy time with you instead of rushing through prayer. Teach me to rest in your love, trust your grace, and delight in being your child. Amen.

Psalm 103:1–13 (NIV)
1 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

Devotional Thought
David begins this psalm by speaking to his own soul: “Praise the Lord.” Sometimes we need to remind ourselves to stop and remember who God is before we think about ourselves. David praises God because he forgives sins, heals, redeems, loves, and shows compassion. He remembers God’s character before he asks for anything.

This is exactly how Jesus teaches us to pray. The first request in the Lord’s Prayer is not about our needs but about God’s name: “Hallowed be your name.” To hallow God’s name means to honor him as holy and worthy of worship. God’s name represents everything he has revealed about himself—his love, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and power.

Praise is our response to God’s self-revelation. We glorify God by speaking back to him the truths he has already spoken about himself in Scripture. As we remember his works and his promises, our hearts grow in gratitude and trust.

Many of us begin prayer by talking about our problems. Jesus teaches us to begin by talking about God. As we remember who he is, our problems begin to find their proper place. Our circumstances may not change immediately, but our perspective often does.

One helpful way to practice this kind of prayer is to read a psalm slowly and turn each description of God into your own prayer. Thank him for his mercy. Praise him for his faithfulness. Worship him for his patience. As you fill your mind with God’s character, your heart will naturally respond with praise.

Prayer is not only about asking God for help. It is also about glorifying his name because he alone is worthy of worship.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Psalm 103 fit within the Book of Psalms as a song of praise and worship?
• Observation: What attributes and actions of God does David praise throughout this psalm?
• Meaning: What does it mean to bless or praise the Lord with your whole being?
• Main Idea: Why does remembering God’s character lead us to worship him?
• Application: What are three attributes of God that you can praise him for in your prayers this week?

Prayer
Father, your name is holy and worthy of praise. Help me to remember your goodness before I focus on my own needs. Fill my heart with gratitude so that my prayers bring glory to you. Amen.

Psalm 73:23–28 (NIV)
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Devotional Thought
The writer of Psalm 73 struggled with difficult questions. He looked around and saw wicked people succeeding while God’s people suffered. He became discouraged and confused. Everything changed when he entered God’s presence. There he began to see life from God’s perspective.

Near the end of the psalm, he makes a remarkable statement: “As for me, it is good to be near God.” Notice that he does not say it is good to receive blessings from God, answers from God, or gifts from God. He says it is good to be near God himself.

This is one of the greatest lessons about prayer. We often come to prayer because we need something. Jesus certainly invites us to bring every need before our Father. But before we ask for bread, forgiveness, or protection, Jesus teaches us to remember who God is. The greatest blessing of prayer is not that God gives us what we ask for. The greatest blessing is that we enjoy fellowship with our heavenly Father.

As we spend time with God, our hearts begin to change. We start loving what he loves and valuing what he values. We become more patient, more gracious, and more joyful because we have been with him. Prayer is one of God’s primary ways of shaping us into the likeness of Christ.

Today, ask yourself an important question: If God answered none of your requests today but invited you to spend time with him, would that be enough? The gospel reminds us that through Jesus we have been brought near to God. He himself is our greatest treasure.

COMMA Questions

• Context: What problem is Asaph wrestling with at the beginning of Psalm 73, and how does it prepare us for the ending?
• Observation: What changes in Asaph’s attitude after he enters God’s presence?
• Meaning: What does Asaph mean when he says, “It is good to be near God”?
• Main Idea: Why is God’s presence a greater treasure than the blessings he gives?
• Application: How can you make time this week to enjoy God’s presence instead of only bringing him a list of requests?

Prayer
Father, thank you for bringing me near through Jesus Christ. Help me to treasure you more than your gifts. Teach me to enjoy your presence, trust your love, and glorify your name in every part of my life. Amen.