The Wonder of Worship
The wonder of worship is that we might know God and offer Him our deepest and most sincere love. After all, Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). It is impossible to love what or whom we do not know. And we can only know God if He reveals Himself to us; which He has. God would not require a command so great if it were not possible, but it is and He has made it so. But there is more.
“Breaking through this misunderstanding is like the building of a road through the mountains.”
The wonder of worship is that God chooses to know and love us, as well. Many people have the impression that if there is a God, then He is a frustrated creator who tires of our humanity. Breaking through this misunderstanding is like the building of a road through the mountains. Often, the only way to lay the road is to dynamite the mountain that is in the way. That is exactly what God has done. The prophet Isaiah wrote:
“A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 40:3-5 NIV).
“Abba — this simple, two-syllable Aramaic word for father — was used by babies to call out to their fathers.”
Worship is a wonder because God has not only commanded our love, but He has enabled us to love. In Galatians 4:6, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” “Abba — this simple, two-syllable Aramaic word for father — was used by babies to call out to their fathers. Jesus, and Paul after him, used this same simple term — Abba — to indicate our tender, close, and dependent relationship with God as our Father. The Holy Spirit within us guarantees our access to the Father and reminds us by this simple word that we are God’s beloved children” (heartlight.org).
“Jesus and the Holy Spirit are praying for you and on your behalf.”
The wonder of worship is that God has promised that Jesus and the Holy Spirit pray for us! Whether you are weak or strong, whether you believe or doubt, whether you go to church or not, if you have received God’s gift of salvation, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are praying for you and on your behalf. Certainly we ought to believe and worship with other believers but there are times when we cannot or will not. However, that does not cause them to stop praying for you.
“If you are a follower of Jesus, then your life is an act of worship.”
I think there are 2 primary kinds of worship: lifestyle worship and focused worship. In the Bible, we are told, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” (Colossians 3:23 NIV). In other words, if you are a follower of Jesus, then your life is an act of worship; it’s a lifestyle. I have more to say about that but I will save it for another article.
“Your song, dance, or sermon has become an offering.”
The second kind of worship is focused worship. Focused worship is when we close out surrounding distractions and worship or pray as though Jesus were visible to us at that very moment. Your song, dance, or sermon has become an offering. The Bible calls it a “sweet smelling savor,” or a sweet aroma. It’s a reminder of ancient times when God’s people presented a burnt offering of a lamb or some other animal. When Jesus was crucified, He offered Himself as a sacrifice to God. When we worship intentionally, it is appropriate to think of your gift as a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. While it was a bitter death in our human thought, it was the payment for our sins that God fully accepted. A paid debt is always sweet.
CLICK to visit KenSheltonMusic.com and listen to my latest album, “Legacy – Songs For My Family.” I composed all 13 songs for this album. You can also find it on all streaming platforms.
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