It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD …. then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God ~ 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.
Introduction
Worshipping God is a very crucial aspect of Christian life. Albeit, it is like its real essence is fast becoming elusive for many people. In fact, what’s sometimes called worship in the Churches today must be carefully interrogated so that we don’t let it slip into a level of mocking God.
Today, many people fall flat on their faces as in worship, and yet they laugh, querying God’s ability to assist them in their deepest predicaments (Genesis 17:17). We must urgently re-establish the fact that God wants everything He created to worship and give Him pleasure at all times (Psalm 29:1-2; Revelation 4:11).
Worship is giving the “deserving worth” to the One Who truly deserves it: Him to Whom it belongs.
The El-Shaddai God is deservedly worthy of all our worship and stewardship because He is the only One who is truly holy, righteous, all-powerful, excellent, absolutely just, benevolent and abundantly rich in mercies!
He’s the Creator of heaven and earth, and He’s the lawful Owner of all things, including you and I (Psalm 24:1). He's the supreme, sovereign and omnipotent God whose power is unassailable and whose judgment is incontestable. He’s the One who can do and undo at will. He can kill and make alive; He can make rich and render poor (Deuteronomy 32:39).
The El-Shaddai God is mysterious and awesome in His majesty. His wisdom is unfathomable. He cannot be explained; He can only be experienced. Unto Him alone shall everyone pay worship obeisance and ascribe greatness. Alleluia!
Worshipping God can include singing, dancing, praying, fasting, spiritual devotion, studying the Word, partaking in the Holy communion, giving and serving others, but it's not limited to these (Hebrews 13:1-2).
Nevertheless, worshipping God certainly involves reverencing Him for His mercies, and making public confessions to His Name in line with the revelation of His personality in the Word.
Understanding True Worship!
In delving in to understand the subject of true worship, we must pause to admit that there are lots of fake and vain worshippers out there today, just like the prophets of Baal and the Samaritan woman at the well before she encountered Jesus Christ (John 4:22).
True worship is primarily about God, and how we relate with Him. It’s not about our circumstances and privileges or the lack of it. When Job had everything, he worshipped God, and when he lost everything, he still worshiped God because he was a true worshipper!
Jesus Christ said that true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). We’re to worship God from our hearts, according to His Word and on His own terms (1Timothy 2:8).
Whenever we lift our hands to the Lord in worship, especially with right hearts and attitudes, we’re offering to Him, in total surrender, sacrifices of sweet smelling savour (Psalm 141:2).
Secondly, true worship is an expression of obedience, honour and gratitude offered to the El-Shaddai God by people, especially regenerated souls, who have caught a true revelation of God and His love for mortal men. This is the truest form of worship (Amos 5:21-24).
It is not enough to sing God’s praises; we must readily obey Him in everything as our Lord and Master, whether it’s convenient or not. This is true worship, but to be true to it, we must reach out to meet God via His Word (Acts 17:23).
Again, true worship is a conviction followed by affectionate actions in response, not to any external stimulus like music but, to the truth of God’s Word. True worship is beyond the music, clapping, dancing, jumping, stamping on the floor, and casual renditions of our favorite Christian songs.
See, people easily get caught up in the songs they sing and the musical instruments they engage in worship. Undoubtedly, music is good, but true worship is beyond the “ambience” of music and effect lights!
Music doesn’t necessarily engender true worship, although it certainly can produce emotional elation, which could even be very destructive if not shaped by Truth. Hence, we are instructed to constantly renew our minds and ensure they’re conformed to “the mind of Christ” (1Corinthians 2:16).
True worship is the acknowledgment of God, His power and glory. It must be felt inwardly and then expressed through our actions in everything we do, not only when we’re in church, but everywhere — in our houses, offices, inside our cars — and anywhere!
It’s in true worship that God meets with you, opens your spiritual eyes and helps you receive the divine touch you need for your next level of glory (Exodus 29:43).
The Power and the Blessings of True Worship
No one truly worships God amiss! Whenever you truly worship the Lord, He ministers to you as well. Heaven is never silent on the worshipper! God’s power is surely manifested in an atmosphere of true worship.
No one truly worships God without experiencing His tangible power and goodness (2Chronicles 5:13-14). True worship is a magnetic spiritual force that draws God into your situation and circumstance (Psalm 22:3).
Typically, those who worship idols are like the idols, and those who worship God must enjoy the attributes of the living God (Psalm 115:3-8). When we praise God for Who He is, His multifaceted anointing, power and greatness will rub off on us (Psalm 84:4-7).
The following powerful supernatural blessings will accrue to you when you give God true worship, quality praise and acceptable thanksgiving: strange divine intervention (Psalm 50:23), curse cancellation (Genesis 8:20-21), and sweet deliverance (1 Samuel 16:23).
Further blessings include: supernatural direction, guidance and Holy Ghost impartation (Acts 13:2-3), inexplicable breakthrough multiplication (John 6:11; 11:41), and supernatural victories in spiritual conflicts (2Chronicles 20:22-23; Matthew 15:25-28).
Meanwhile, worship is reserved only for God, not to any human being or angel (Revelation 19:10). However, worshiping God without purity of heart is totally displeasing to Him. I believe this was the critical factor that played out in the famous story of Cain and Abel.
All that we are, and all that we have are provided for and kept by the mercies of God (Romans 12:1-2). Knowing this truth, we become fully motivated to yield all our human faculties — our hearts, minds, hands, thoughts, attitudes — to worship Him with all our might.
Brethren, this is our season for a special divine visitation. Let’s clean up our hearts, tune up our spirits and begin to worship God aright. We will soon become enraptured in the warmth of His love and the glory of His powerful presence. You won’t miss this, in Jesus name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
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Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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