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Image from the black hole core of the Whirlpool Galaxy |
According to Scripture...
Romans 4:20… [Abraham] did not stagger by unbelief at the promise of God, but was empowered by faith, giving glory to God,
Our faith gives glory to God. Abraham was one hundred years old when God told him Sarah would bear him a son. He fell down and worshiped God Almighty at this supernatural feat He would perform. What's more... when Sarah died, Abraham married again and had six more sons. Talk about glory to God!
Psalm 50:23 Whoever offers thanks glorifies Me; and he who prepares a way, I will show the salvation of God to him.
Our praises and thanksgivings give glory to God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Then whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God. 32 Be without offense both to Jews and Greeks, and to the assembly of God. 33 Even as I also please all in all things, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, that they may be saved.
Everything we do, we are to do to bring glory to God. Being without offense to anyone is a lot harder than reading the verse. We must buckle in for the bumpy ride that Satan is bound to cause so in order to do it, we must make a deliberate decision to put God first every day. Otherwise, our thought processes can get us into trouble by making self first.
We must be sensitive to our brothers and sisters around us. When I raise my hands to God in praise in church, I do so in a muted manner. Most of the folks in my church are uncomfortable with major displays of affection toward God. I still do it, but not to draw attention to myself. Although, sometimes I hear God shouting, “Wake up, Children! Wake up!”
Jesus told Peter how his death would glorify God.
John 21:19 But He said this signifying by what death he would glorify God. And having said this, He told him, Follow Me.
1Peter 4:14 If you are reviled in the name of Christ, you are blessed, because "the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you." Truly, according to them, He is blasphemed; but according to you, He is glorified. Isa. 11:2
1Peter 4:16 But if one suffers as a Christian, do not let him be ashamed, but to glorify God in this respect.
2 Thess 1:11 For which we also continually pray concerning you, that our God would you worthy of the calling, and would fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness, and work of faith in power, 12; so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Allowing God to work through us brings Jesus glory and glory to God.
John 15:8 In this My Father is glorified, that you should bear much fruit; and you will be disciples to Me.
Philippians 1:11 being filled with fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
1Corinthians 6:20 You were bought with a price; then glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are of God.
Glorifying God should be done in unison... all saints.
Psalm 34:3 O magnify Jehovah with me; and let us exalt His name together
Rom 15:6 that with one accord and with one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Because of this, receive one another as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
Seriously, I take this to mean when we are a congregation, we are to worship in unison. We should not be each in our own little world while church is going on. The personal kind of worship is to be practiced when we are alone and this glorifies God in our body and our spirit. But, when we are together, it should be in one body, of one mind, in one accord, in order.
This list is by no means comprehensive. However, it gives a bear bones overview of how to glorify God and what is acceptable. I figure when one does enough genuine glorying of God then the false glorifying will become readily recognizable, kinda like the way bank tellers can spot counterfeit money just by feeling it.
1 Chronicles 16 is David's way of glorifying God in worship. He is not dancing inside the Temple in this exaltation. I think it is worthy to note that neither David, nor the priests nor the people ever danced inside the Temple. I believe it is also worthy to be noted that God was extremely emphatic about the conduct of the priests as they came into His presence. They were to come in fear and trembling, not riotous dancing, shouting and singing. Any slaying to be done was by God Himself in response to profane behavior of the priests who entered the Holy of Holies.
I strongly believe that the believers of today have forgotten the Holiness of God and Who God really is. He is Just as well as full of Mercy. He is not The Great Daddy-O, but is worthy of deep respect to the point of foreheads to the ground. I tremble with fear and disgust when I hear someone take the Lord's Name in vain or in curses. They know not what they do.
Since David danced before the Lord, can we assume that dancing would be equivalent to running down the aisles?
There is no reference to dancing in the Temple. There are about seven references to dancing before the Lord (one in Luke 15 the Prodigal Son parable). I admit that my search is not thorough, but I have not found any place in Scripture where it was holy or reverent or glorifying to God to run down the aisles (dancing) in the Temple.
The only place I find where there is great celebration in dance before the Lord is the invitation in Psalm 149. Here it is clearly a celebration and it is for everyone to dance. I find a correlation in Luke 15 when the Prodigal Son comes home and there is great celebration and dancing. But, not in the Temple. It is a group thing, not an individual thing.
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