Elder Brandon M. Smith is the pastor of Grace Covenant Community Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also the Community Liaison for Louisiana State University, also located in Baton Rouge. He is married to the lovely and talented, Rachanda Wilson Smith and they have three beautiful children. For more information and ministry updates, visit the website at www.gracecovenantbr.org and sign up for an encouraging word with “Moment of Grace” on their Facebook page at Grace Covenant Community Church.   

Purposeful and intentional praise and worship have benefits! One of Solomon’s first acts as king was to complete and dedicate the temple his father, David, started to build. To prepare, Solomon embarked on a purposeful and intentional plan that would bring glory to God. The Bible records his diligence with great detail (II Chronicles 2-4). He selected the finest materials for both the exterior and interior of the temple. He handpicked the workers. Solomon even consulted with Hiram the king of Tyre to contract some of their architects and builders. We can look to Solomon’s example of purposeful and intentional excellence as a guide to take our praise ministry to the next level.

Appreciating Solomon’s example did not come natural to me. I began serving actively in ministry at the tender age of 11. My first role was Assistant Director of the children’s choir. Because of my gifting and eagerness to serve, I quickly transitioned into additional roles over the years and eventually became Minister of Music at the age of 26. But I had to be intentional in my walk with Christ and approach to ministry to become more than a “boy wonder.” God wanted (and still wants) the best of me. He wants the best of you too.

Once the temple was complete, Solomon displayed an excellent spirit to dedicate it. (II Chronicles 5:1-14, I Kings 8:1-11). What followed can be described with four (4) “O’s”—obedience, order, offering, and organization:

·    Obedience (II Chr 5:1)—Not only did Solomon reverence God, he also respected the call of God on his father’s life, David. Before his demise, David had dedicated silver, gold, and other furnishings for the temple. He left Solomon specific instructions to include them in building the temple and Solomon obeyed.

·    Order (II Chr 5:2-5)—The dedication’s processional was led by the elders of each tribe of Israel. Specifically, the Levites were assigned to bring in the Ark of the Covenant and all of the furnishings were placed in the tabernacle. Solomon understood that orderly leadership would reinforce the seriousness of the task at hand.

·    Offering (II Chr 5:6)—Solomon demonstrated active worship by leading the people in a sacrificial burnt offering. The sheep and oxen “could not be counted because of the large number.” Before they entered the temple, he desired the atonement (or amends) of sin. Their sacrifice symbolized their spiritual purification.

·    Organization (II Chr 5:7-12)—The entry into the temple was orchestrated with precision. The Ark was brought in, the priests sanctified themselves, and the singers and musicians took their respective places east of the Alter. They even wore a uniform of white linen.

What happened next was amazing! With all things and people in place, the dedication began. The people began to blow the trumpets and sing to the Lord saying, “For He [God] is good, for His mercy endures forever” (II Chr 5:13). As they sang and played, the Bible says that the temple was filled with a cloud, which represented God’s glory. As the priests attempted to continue ministering, they could not. The glory of God had overtaken their efforts. The dedication became a worship experience…or in keeping with an additional “o” —an occasion!

When we are purposeful and intentional about the things of God, we set the stage for God’s glory to be revealed. God honors order and, like Solomon, God instructs us through His Word.  Make an effort to be purposeful in your praise. Be intentional about your worship. God will meet you. His glory will overtake you. You probably have no plans to build a celestial edifice. You may not even possess fine materials like silver and gold, but we are God’s temple (I Corinthians 6:19; II Corinthians 6:16-17). We are the Body of Christ (Matthew 16:18). Solomon took his task seriously and God was glorified. Let the same be said of us.

Challenge: Make a list of three things you can do to eliminate distractions and become more intentional about your praise and worship.