When worship falters, it is often because our hearts are looking in the wrong direction. Like whale watchers who missed a breathtaking moment because their attention was fixed elsewhere, we can miss the glory of God when we become distracted by the worthless idols of this world.

In this sermon short from 1 Chronicles 16:28–34, Pastor Ben Smith calls listeners to turn away from worldly distractions and behold again the glory, majesty, and greatness of the Lord. He alone is worthy of all worship, glory, and honor.

In Acts 16, the Bible records that Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel and casting out a demon from a slave girl. They were ordered to be imprisoned and their feet fastened in the stocks. The next verse gives a simple description:

Acts 16:25 (ESV) — 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

Paul and Silas were doing what Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:15-21. They were being abused by the government. They were in the unsanitary, uncomfortable, and unpleasant confines of a 1st-century jail. They were surrounded by others who did not know Jesus. But what do they do?

They do not complain. They do not scream and cry. They do not even demand justice.

They worship. They prayed and sang hymns to God. They were worshiping with integrity. They were worshiping in faithfulness. And they were worshiping for the glory of God.