"Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion.
For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD.
"Many nations will be joined with the LORD
in that day and will become my people.
I will live among you and you will know
that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.
The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land
and will again choose Jerusalem.
Be still before the LORD, all mankind,
because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."
Zechariah 2:10-13

The Lord himself is saying that we should worship and praise him because he will come and live among us. He is giving us the basis for why we can be joyful and shout and rejoice. Further, the Lord is looking to make our praise as his inheritance. Judah is a symbol that speaks of the praise of Israel (the foreshadow of the church). God wants to make the worship and praise of the church his exclusive property (IE. "his portion"). God is not simply willing to let the world swallow up the affections that should be spent towards Him. To make it clear that He considers it of utmost importance, he says "I am coming, and I will live among you". Rather than simply sending an angel or dispatching a prophet or servant, God is coming personally to receive our praise.

God thinks our worship and praise is so important, He leaves his dwelling in heaven to come and gather our affections, by saying "he has roused himself from his holy dwelling".

So next time you begin to worship and praise him, consider that the Almighty Creator of the universe is coming to personally listen and receive your words and adoration. Wow!

Kim Anthony Gentes

The above scripture is Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.

The Daily Worship Thought was written and Copyright © 1998 by Kim Anthony Gentes. Used by permission. The Daily Worship Thought complete archives is found on the web, along with other worship resources, at the worship resource center web site (http://www.praise.net/worship/).