As you complete this mission on worship, take time and look up the scripture references and meditate on them, asking God to teach you and give you a deeper understanding of how they relate to your life. Don’t hurry through the mission. It may take you many weeks. That’s ok. What you want to happen is that you cultivate a heart of worship in your life and find worship become a foundation that you call upon to connect you with the Lord who is your continual and unending source of strength and joy.
Section 1:
WORSHIP: The English word worship comes from the Old English word worthship, a word which denotes the worthiness of the one receiving the special honor or devotion.
WORSHIP is the act of paying honor to a deity; religious reverence and homage.
The Hebrew word for worship is shakha שָׁחָה (to “bow down”) to prostrate oneself before another in order to do him honor and reverence. This mode of salutation consisted in falling upon the knees and then touching the forehead to the ground, often rendered “bowed.” It is, however, used specifically to bow down before God; spoken of worship rendered to God, and also to false gods.
The first mention of “worship” in the Scriptures is in the book of Genesis, with the story of Abraham obeying God’s instruction to offer his son, Isaac as a sacrifice to God. This teaches that worship always involves obedience. This story also foreshadows God’s plan to offer His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins; an act that would truly enable us to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23)
“Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” (Genesis 22:1-5)
Is there something the Lord is asking you to surrender and let go of as an act of worship to Him?
Worship is as old as humanity. It has its root in a necessity of the human soul as native to it as the consciousness of God itself, which impels it to testify by word and act its love and gratitude to the Author of life and the Giver of all good.
Worship is based on a revelation from God. Looking back at Genesis 22 we read this in verses 1-2 with the words “and God said….”
Abraham was responding to a word from God. He was acting on something God instructed. It wasn’t something he thought up himself, but it was his faith response to divine revelation. If you take faith away from Abraham’s act of worship (to offer his son as a sacrifice,) it becomes an act of murder. Abraham’s response was unquestioned, prompt and full. Unhesitatingly, he obeyed God’s Word.
Our worship of the Lord must be guided by the Word of the Lord. As believers we aren’t inspired to worship by the traditions of men, or the reasoning of human wisdom. We are inspired to worship by the clear revelation of God’s Word. Don’t worry, God’s not going to ask you to offer your son. He already did that by offering His Son. No doubt though, He will ask you to lay down some things that are near and dear to your heart, as an act of worship to Him.
Will your response be prompt and full? Let’s hope so…
As parents we know that delayed obedience is the same as disobedience. Are there areas in your life that you’ve delayed your obedience to God’s instruction? How does this reflect on your true worship of God?
Worship is based on a revelation from God. Looking back at Genesis 22 we read this in verses 1-2 with the words “and God said….”
Abraham was responding to a word from God. He was acting on something God instructed. It wasn’t something he thought up himself, but it was his faith response to divine revelation. If you take faith away from Abraham’s act of worship (to offer his son as a sacrifice) it becomes an act of murder. Abraham’s response was unquestioned, prompt and full. Unhesitatingly, he obeyed God’s Word.
Our worship of the Lord must be guided by the Word of the Lord. As believers we mustn’t be inspired to worship by the traditions of men, or the reasoning of human wisdom. We are to be inspired to worship by the clear revelation of God’s Word. Don’t worry, God’s not going to ask you to offer your son. He already did that by offering His Son. No doubt though, He will ask you to lay down some things that are near and dear to your heart, as an act of worship to Him.
Will your response be prompt and full? Let’s hope so…
Section 2:
In Abraham’s case, worshiping God meant offering up his only and beloved son, the darling of his heart. Isaac was his dearest possession and the one in whom all of his hopes of future posterity were centered.
Take a moment to pray and ask the Holy Spirit what are some things in your life that God may want you to give up in a spirit of sacrificial worship.
Worship is not a cheap thing to be offered thoughtlessly, or carelessly, with no sense of self sacrifice.
Worship necessitates a deliberate separation to God. Like Abraham in verse 5 of Genesis 22, each believer must say to all his/her cares, business affairs and hobbies, etc. “stay here, while I go and worship.” Sadly, many a meal has been planned and many a business deal has been thought about when believers were supposedly deep in meditation about God, and in “worship.”
God has given us our imagination to help us encounter His Presence, and things of the spiritual realm. It’s our job to align our minds with God and His Kingdom, seeking to know Him more through the revelations given us by His Holy Spirit, all of which will always line up with God’s revelation of Himself in the written Word.
Distracting thoughts must be dealt with. They must be made obedient to Messiah (2 Cor. 10:5.) Only then will we truly be able to come to know God more, and the beautiful thing is that the more time we spend worshiping God, the more we become like Yeshua. (2 Cor. 3:18)
Pick one of your favorite worship songs and spend some time listening and focusing your attention on our wondrous God and King.
Here’s a link to an anointed ‘old-school’ song you can use to direct your heart to worshiping God:
Worship predicates the absolute renunciation of self in all its forms. The true worshiper is he who worships God in spirit, rejoices in Messiah, Yeshua and has no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3:3)
The more time we spend worshipping God, the more we come to know Him and become like Him. Colossians 3:5-10
In the Presence of the Lord is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11
If you’re lacking joy….get into God’s Presence. How? By spending time thinking about the Lord, acknowledging who He is and by worshiping Him!
Here’s another song that may help you navigate into God’s presence.
The anointing that accompanies spirit filled worship breaks the yokes off our lives that hinder us from living in God’s perfect destiny. Isaiah 61:1-4
Worship is a heart attitude and can be experienced throughout your day.
This week keep a list of all the times, and during what activities you thought of God, with a heart of worship.
Times of worship are not limited to times that involve music. We can worship God at all times. Worship is a heart attitude and determined by our mindset.
Section 3:
Why we worship: We have all been forgiven much. We need to really understand this. Like the woman with the alabaster box of precious ointment, (Matthew 26:6-13) our being forgiven allows us to come boldly into the loving Presence of the Lord. He knows our shortcomings and failings. He loves us anyway, unconditionally. Understanding this enables us to be free to weep in His sweet presence and simply worship Him.
Jesus/Yeshua has made a way for us to be restored in relationship to God. We can pour out everything that’s on our heart to Him. We don’t have to worry. He won’t heap guilt, shame, judgment or condemnation on us. He will show us His nail-pierced hands and remind us of what He did for us on the cross. He will say “Your sins are forgiven. Now go and sin no more. I have paid the price for you at Calvary. Rest in My forgiveness and love for you.”
This is why we worship Him!
In Exodus 20 God gives us the 10 Commandments. The first two have to do with worshiping God, and God alone. Ex. 20:3-6
An idol is anything that a person worships in his heart, and which displaces God, or relegates Him to second place in the consciousness. Idolatry is a turning away from God.
You can determine what you really worship by asking a few questions. What do I think about the most? What do I do the most? Where does most of my money go? Your answer to these questions will determine what your idols may be.
1 Corinthians 6:8-10 tells us that idolaters will not inherit the Kingdom of God. As does Galatians 5:19-20.
There are so many things in the natural world that can seduce us into idolatry without our even recognizing it. That’s where the “fear of God” comes in, and protects us.
Some define the “fear of God” for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer.
Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline and therefore seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him. This is true worship!
Section 4:
In Deuteronomy 26:1-11 we read of the Harvest offerings and tithes that ancient Israel were to bring before the Lord as an act of worship. Through this passage of Scripture we learn the following characteristics of worshippers of God:
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The worshipper experienced what it meant to be redeemed by blood and by power. Deuteronomy 26:5-8
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The worship had an inheritance in the land. Deuteronomy 26:1
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The worshipper was blessed by God. Deuteronomy 26:2
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The worshipper was a grateful person. Deuteronomy 26:2-3
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The worshipper was obedient to God’s Word. Deuteronomy 26:2
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The worshipper was a humble person. Deuteronomy 26:5-9
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The worshipper was giving to God. Deuteronomy 26:10-11
These are the same characteristics that we’re to have as New Testament worshipers. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Spend some time in prayer, asking the Lord how your life demonstrates each of these character traits:
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Deep knowledge of being redeemed by God’s blood and power
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Having an inheritance
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Blessed by God
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Grateful
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Obedient to God’s Word
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Humble
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Generous and Giving