In an individualistic world, it is common to hear of people who are ‘spiritual but not religious,’ or who prefer to ‘seek the divine’ personally rather than identify with ‘organised religion.’

Old Testament scriptures describe David, the man after God’s own heart, and his establishing a pattern of regular and corporate worship in Israel. In contrast therefore to our prevailing culture, scripture teaches that worship is to be regular and corporate, rather than solely individual and random.

1 Chronicles 6 outlines elements of this worship:

• Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. (1 Chr 16.6)
• Asaph and his associates had regular responsibilities, in fact each day. (1 Chr 16.37-38)
• David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the Lord, which he had given Israel. (1 Chr 16.39-40)
• Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the musical element of the worship. This was something which was previously mentioned only in passing. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, incorporated music into national worship in a substantial way. (1 Chr 16.41)

David delegated this to gifted and godly people.

This was essential for a strong nation. And essential to promote truth and righteousness.

The New Testament also refers to Christians regularly gathering – but that is for another day!

I am constantly challenged to pray ‘better.’  So I have started to use these prayers recorded in Paul’s letters.

After further thought I noticed the aims of Paul’s prayers. Whilst I continue to pray concerning circumstances for others as well as for myself, there are some big themes here.

‘I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and the incomparably great power for us who believe.’

‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.’

‘I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.’

‘And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.’

‘We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

And we pray this is order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.’

Uzziah became king as a young man. He was only sixteen years old (2 Chronicles 26.3). Few reigned in Judah at such a young age. God gave him Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. Under Zechariah’s influence, Uzziah ‘sought the Lord’ (26.5) and God gave his success.

Uzziah inherited a nation is some disarray, just as other kings before and after him did.

His grandfather Joash, who also came to the throne very young, had started well, being supported by Jehoiada. But when Jehoiada died, Joash fell under damaging influences (see 2 Chron 24.17).

Joash was followed by Amaziah, who followed the Lord, but not whole heartedly (25.2). Later he turned away from following the Lord (25.27). Invariably, the faith, or lack of faith, of the king was reflected in the life of the nation.

It was into this chaotic situation that Uzziah came to the throne.

Part of his response was as an organiser. This is quite striking:

• he rebuilt towns (v6),
• he won battles (v7),
• Ammonites and, perhaps others brought tribute to Judah (v8),
• his reputation spread amongst the nations (v8),
• he became very powerful (v8),
• he built towers in Jerusalem and strengthened them (v9),
• he invested in agriculture, providing towers for protection and cisterns for irrigation (v10),
• he had fields and vineyards (v11),
• his army was well-equipped (v14),
• he constructed machines of war (v15).

Consequently, his reputation spread among the nations (v15) and, ‘he was greatly helped.’

But Uzziah became powerful and proud (v16). This was his downfall.

We are not to consider that his organisation and achievements were wrong. (Godly order is found in the nation in the wilderness and David’s administration, in particular.) But success can be a powerful temptation; Jesus spoke of the desires for other things entering in to make the seed unfruitful (Mark 4.19). Remember, temptation comes in many forms.

Power, fame, success, achievement can be dangerous. Phil 3.19 refers to those who love such things; their god is their belly!