Oftentimes, when we hear the word ‘worship’ we immediately think about a particular song or a moment during church service, but we couldn’t be more wrong. More than a moment, worship is a lifestyle. When we hear terms in church like ‘worship team’ referring to the singers and instrumentalists, we tend to forget that we are all called to be true worshipers of the living God, and associate worship with having the gift of singing or playing an instrument. But this is not the worship that God is looking for. Jesus explains in John 4:23-24, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth”

The true worshipers whom the Father seeks, who worship Him in the Spirit and in truth are those who have been redeemed by Christ and received His Spirit, the seal of the everlasting covenant between Jesus and His Bride, the Church. “The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught” (Isaiah 29:13). Unfortunately, we often sing a song without understanding it; we say things to God that we don’t really mean, or perform religious acts without having a heart behind it. Worship is not just about music or songs; it is our response to the majesty and the greatness of our God. The more we know God, the more we are filled with awe for Him. How could God be so righteous yet loving, that He gave His own Son to die on our behalf and make us His own? How can the Creator of the universe care for every detail of our simple, short-lived existence?  How can the King of kings oversee all the events in this world so that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)? Worship is the only response we can give, as our hearts overflow with awe, gratitude and love for this God who loved us first!

The Bible tells us in Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” True and proper worship requires us to offer ourselves completely to God. Not just giving Him the first place but the whole place. Letting Him sit on the throne of our hearts, giving Him our all in all. So today, examine yourself. How are you worshiping God? With your lips or with your heart? Are you trying to please God or man? Are you catering to His desire or to your own preference? Is God the only exalted One in our life?

Prayer points for today:

• Ask the Lord for forgiveness and for help to become a true worshiper.
• Ask God for the revelation of His goodness and majesty, so you would worship Him out of love and awe, not compulsion.
• Pray to live in a way that is wholly committed and focused on God.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to worship God in Spirit and in truth, in and with every aspect of your life, in ways that are pleasing to the Lord.