The word ‘serve’ here is translated in some Bible versions as ‘worship’. “Worship the Lord with gladness”. Whether ‘serve’ or ‘worship’, it has to be done with ‘gladness’. There is no getting away from what that means. It means to be happy, to rejoice, to be enthusiastic. It means preparing for it, looking forward to it, and doing it with all our hearts. In Psalm 111 David says “Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation”.
The words “Praise the Lord” is actually a command. It is a call to the people. He is looking forward to the coming gathering and saying to those around him “Come on now, let’s praise the Lord” Then he declares his own intention. “I will praise the Lord with my whole heart …”
In Romans 12:1 Paul encourages us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” The word ‘service’ here speaks of sacrificial, priestly service to God involving our whole being. We have every reason to “Serve the Lord with Gladness”, particularly in our corporate praise-filled Worship. Our God “forgives our iniquities, heals our diseases, rescues us from destruction and, as if that is not enough, he crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies.”
We can, and should, encourage and bless one another through our joyful participation in corporate praise. As our voices are raised in expressions of gratitude to God and our love for his wonderful son Jesus our Saviour, the response from heaven comes in the form of prophetic encouragement, healing miracles, and the anointed ministry of the Word of God. So let’s “Serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with singing”.
Be blessed as you ‘lift up your hands in His Name’.
Eddie.