I have a confession. I don't read my Bible the same way I listen to my favorite audible series. I don't read my Bible the way I would choose my next "vacation" book. I don't anticipate getting lost in the storyline or caught up in my imagination while I do my morning run. The Bible isn't fiction.
Jesus doesn't have a podcast.The Holy Spirit isn't hosting a Livestream. The Father won't post His latest big idea on Instagram.
Not For Our Entertainment
The Word of God isn't for our entertainment. It is for our benefit. Given to us to build our faith, enlighten us towards salvation, show us how to walk in freedom, help us endure through the darkness, reveal heaven's truths. The Word of God is our guide, our comfort, our source of spiritual nourishment. The words of God point us to the person of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven.
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Are We Captivated and Hungry?
If restoration in my life comes through His story, why am I not more captivated and hungry to devour it? Has it become so familiar that I am no longer fascinated by the chapters? I know what's coming next; I turn a page and have a sense I have been here before. Some of the passages are so familiar, I skim through, no longer in awe, or surprised, or moved the way I used to be - back when the story was "new" and the revelations more inspiring. Because of this familiarity, the surface reading of memorized verses and Bible stories effortlessly recalled - this is why we worship!
Why We Worship
Worship bypasses our human tendency to seek entertainment over devotion. Worship breaks the spell of our monotonous scrolling, podcast perusing, the leisurely downloading of information on iPads, tablets, or cell phones. Worship is our reset button, like flipping a circuit breaker, bringing our hearts online.
Worship awakens our senses and tunes us into the person of Jesus. As we worship, our hearts open, our minds soften, and we become more aware of His presence and the profound influence of His words. Knowing, feeling, experiencing Him in this way adds new color, texture, and truth to reading His Word.
King Of Kings
King of Kings is packed phrase by phrase with Scripture. Line by line, we can sing the restoration story of the church, the gift given in the person of Jesus and the Holy Spirit's ministry, all the hope in the gospel. Worshipping through each verse, we sing of how the gospel of Christ stretches across eternity. Our lives are mere phrases in the storyline, and we stand with an army of believers generation after generation: we, the body of Christ on earth.
Praise forever to this King of Kings, who began a story that we will tell forever and ever.
"King of Kings is packed full of theology — theology releases praise. When we believe correctly about God, when we understand and get a greater revelation of who God is and what He's done, we can't help but respond in worship." – Brooke Ligertwood
*By the way, in case you ever wondered if King Of Kings is a song inspired by the Word of God, here is a line-for-line reference:
In the darkness, we were waiting (Colossians 1:13)Without hope without light (Ephesians 2:12)Till from heaven, You came running (Luke 1:79)There was mercy in Your eyes (Matthew 9:36)To fulfill the law and prophets (Matthew 5:17-18)To a virgin came the Word (Matthew 1:18)From a throne of endless glory (Philippians 2:6-7)To a cradle in the dirt (Luke 2:6-7)Praise the Father (1 Peter 1:3-4)Praise the Son (Ephesians 1:3)Praise the Spirit three in one (2 Corinthians 13:14)God of glory (Psalm 24:10)Majesty (1 Chronicles 29:10-12)Praise forever to the King of Kings (Jude 1:25)To reveal the kingdom coming (Daniel 4:34-35 and 7:18)And to reconcile the lost (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)To redeem the whole creation (Romans 8:21-23)You did not despise the cross (2 Corinthians 8:9)For even in Your suffering (Luke 22:41-43)You saw to the other side (Hebrews 12:2)Knowing this was our salvation (Luke 4:43)Jesus for our sake You died (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)And the morning that You rose (Mark 16:9)All of heaven held its breath (1 Peter 1:11-12)Till that stone was moved for good (Matthew 28:2)For the Lamb had conquered death (Acts 2:24)And the dead rose from their tombs (Matthew 27:52)And the angels stood in awe (Psalm 89:7-8)For the souls of all who'd come (Matthew 27:51 and Hebrews 10:19-39)To the Father are restored (1 Peter 2:24)And the Church of Christ was born (Acts 2:42)Then the Spirit lit the flame (Acts 2:1-4)Now this gospel truth of old (Genesis 3:15, Genesis 22:8, Isaiah 53, Daniel 7:9-10) Shall not kneel shall not faint (Romans 1:16-17)By His blood and in His Name (Acts 4:12)In His freedom I am free (2 Corinthians 3:17)For the love of Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1)Who has resurrected me (Colossians 3:1-4, John 11:25, Romans 6:5 and 8:11)
Tracey Dahl, M.A. is a writer and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) at Shoreline Counselling in Langley, BC (Canada). She is married to Ryan Dahl (Founder of PraiseCharts) and the mother of four grown children.
King Of Kings was written by Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, and Jason Ingram.
*The Falls Church Anglican; by church member, "King of Kings" Worship Article, Oct 5, 2019. www.tfcanglican.org/consider-this/2019/10/5/king-of-kings. Accessed March 6, 2021.
