Court Etiquette

Psalm 100:1-5

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Matt 5:8
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.


Do you know of anyone that haphazardly prepares for a date, especially when the goal is to really impress that very special person? You know... it's like a check list exists in their head...let's see: teeth are polished; breath smells good; clothes are up-to-date and match; the car is clean and ready to go; bought the roses and chocolates. Have I forgotten anything?

Why don't we think like this when we gather to come into God's presence? The common thought is – it's just church. Even though our God is full of grace and mercy, still the Bible gives us some “court etiquette” that should be more than considered when preparing to come into God's presence. Psalm 100:1-5 is a great place to start!

Let's look at the check list:


1. Make a joyful noise.
2. Serve the Lord with Gladness.
3. Come before His presence with singing.
4. Make a conscious effort to consider the following: a. He made us, b. We are His people, and, c. We are the sheep of His pasture.
5. Enter His gates with thanksgiving (extending our hands in adoration).
6. Enter His courts with praise (clear, beaming, boasting and behaving clamorously foolish, ready to celebrate His name).
7. Be thankful and bless Him.


Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, there are also benefits to this kind of “coming into” God's presence. As we look further at Psalm 100, we see they are:


1. God's goodness is displayed.
2. God's unending, everlasting mercy is released.
3. God's enduring truth of “His love for us” is driven deeper into our hearts.


Looking now at Matthew 5:8, we see the benefit continue to add up, saying:


4. Blessed, or fortunate, happy and well-off, are these who pursue God.
5. The “pure” in heart shall stand clean and clear before God


When David wrote songs about intimacy with God, he projected a different relationship than the other tabernacle found in the Old Testrament. When taking a look at the differences between Moses and David's Tabernacles, it doesn't take too long to see there was a clear shift in philosophy in the transition from one to the other.

I have formulated a brief list of these differences and placed them side-by-side for you to compare:


David's Tabernacle / Moses Tabernacle

One Court / Gates
" " / Outer Court
" " / Inner Court
" " / Holy Place
" " / Holy of Holies
No Veil to separate people from God / Veiled Ark of God's Presence
One Sacrifice at its Dedication / Daily and Annual Sacrifices
24/7 Singing with a 4,000 voice choir / Songs were rare
Daily Prophetic Activity / Only Moses prophesied
Everyone Worshiped / Only Moses worshiped
Place of Worship / Place of Legalistic Liturgy


In this side-by-side comparison, another truth is revealed: David's Tabernacle was actually more like the New Testament relationship Jesus established and what other writers said about Him. Comparing David's Tabernacle to what the New Testament says:


David's Tabernacle / Jesus said...

One Court / One Way, One Truth, One Life
No Veil to separate people from God / The Veil was torn and removed
One Sacrifice at its Dedication / Christ is the One sacrifice for all
24/7 Singing with a 4,000 voice choir / Rejoice in the Lord always
Daily Prophetic Activity / Covet to prophesy; forbid it not
Everyone Worshiped / Psalms, hymns & spiritual songs
Place of Worship / Worship God in Spirit & in Truth


We know, according to Hebrew 9:11, God no longer dwells in temples made with hands. However, just like it was in the Old Testament, response is still a key element God looks for. Luke 1 is a perfect example. This is the occasion when Gabriel, the archangel of God, came to deliver the same word of God to both Zacharias & Mary, saying, “You will give birth to a son...and you shall call his name...and I'm announcing his destiny.”

The same news came to two people, but with different responses. Zacharias' response was filled with fear and apprehension. Mary's response was, “Be it unto me, as according to your word.” Which response was the most accepted? It was Mary's, for God caused Zacharias' tongue to be glued to the roof of his mouth for the duration of Elizabeth's pregnancy. The summation of his response was, “I can't...and...God, You can't.” Mary's was, “If You say so, then...let it be.”

Both of these and their sons, Jesus and John, received their destinies. So, it's wasn't that God was so angry at Zacharias that his (and his unborn son's) destiny was thwarted. This is not God's way. Nevertheless, response is a key element found throughout the scriptures as it relates to court etiquette.

What about you? Have you been haphazardly entering God's presence, as you gather to worship Him? Don't be guilty about grieving the Holy Spirit. Show some appreciation for God's presence by preparing your heart. The greater the preparation of ones' heart to meet with his God, the greater the opportunity of receiving above and beyond what he has asked for. Go for it!