Pastor Eric’s Daily Devotion

November Newsletter Article

Greetings Faith Family,            

I would like to continue the study that we began last month for Genesis 22:1-14. Last month we discussed The Setting of Biblical Worship. This month I would like for us to notice Worship's Source.

 I.  v. 1-2    WORSHIP’S SOURCE

·         Abraham’s worship in these verses was based on a clear word from the Lord. Verse 1 says, “God...said unto him.” Verse 2 says, “And He said...” Abraham found himself engaged in the worship of Almighty God because God told him exactly what He wanted. God told Abraham what to do, “Take now thy son...and offer him for a burnt offering.” God told him where to go, “get thee into the land of Moriah...upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Abraham’s worship was based on a clear word from God.

·         True worship is always guided by the Word of God. True worship is always a response to revelation. Thus, true worship is always a matter of faith, Rom. 10:17. God has revealed Himself to us in His Word. We respond to that revelation by humbling ourselves to Him and bowing down before Him in reverence and adoration.

·         Many will go to their churches and engage in responsive readings, dead liturgies, and empty formalism, and call it worship. Others will dance around, lift their arms and shout. Some speak in tongues and faint dead away and call it worship. Still others will go to church, sit quietly in their pew, sing the songs, bow for prayer, listen to the preacher and call it worship. Does any of these methods of assembly and doing church really result in worship?

        If we are going to worship the Lord, we must do it His way in the manner that he has prescribed. Following the traditions and customs of man is simply not worship. Genuine biblical worship is all that I am responding to all that God is, as He is revealed in the Bible.

·         In other words, God says He loves me. God says He sent His Son to die for me. God says He will never leave me. God says that He will supply all my needs. God says He is my Father. The list could go on.

        When I understand Who God is and what He has done for me, I worship Him when I respond to His revelation with humility, gratitude, and reverence. So, yes, the person in the emotional church can worship. The person in the formal church can worship. The person in the church like ours can worship. The key is the attitude of the heart.

·         Genuine worship takes place when my spirit responds to God’s revelation of Himself in His word, and I bow myself before Him in reverence, love, and adoration. So, like Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:24

By His Grace and for His Glory,

Eric