Since the time I had an encounter with God I have been personally learning a lot about worship.
One of my favorite passages on worship is Genesis 22 where Abraham is tested by God to sacrifice Isaac. The word ‘worship’ appears for the very first time here, thus implying this story to be a significant pattern for us to follow on the topic of worship. Three major things that I have learnt from this passage about worship is:
1. Worship is about you and God. You can only take your offering with you.
Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you. (Genesis 22:5)
If Abraham had brought his servants along to the place of worship. they would have not allowed him to sacrifice Isaac. Similarly during worship we cannot bring anything or anyone with us to the altar. It is a personal time between us and God. We do not even need a mediator as we have Christ interceding for us.
2. Worship involves a sacrifice
“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.” (Romans 12:1)
Worship is nothing less than a sacrifice. The whole of old testament talks about sacrifice being worship. And just like Abraham who was about to sacrifice Isaac or the sinful woman who brought her most expensive alabaster jar of oil, we are also called to offer the most precious things of our lives to God. And offering our bodies as living sacrifices should become a daily routine in our lives.
3. Worship involves a two fold process
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:12)
Offering oneself as a living sacrifice is not just hard but impossible. Abraham was able to sacrifice because he loved God. Our love for Him automatically leads us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Worship involves a two fold process:
- Knowing God i.e His love, greatness, faithfulness and so forth
- which automatically leads us to offer ourselves as sacrifices
My encouragement today to you if you are struggling with regards to worshiping God is to be soaked in His love. Do you know how much He loves you? Do you know how much He cares for you? The more you know God’s love you understand it better. The more you understand you are strongly convinced of His love. Worship will flow automatically when you are convinced of His love for you.
Samuel Thomas (Sam)
Sam is a Christian minister who is serving the Lord in various capacities. He is working through Cross Impact and also involved with Crossway Church. He can be reached on samvthom16@gmail.com
