worship

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -81

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Listening to the Heart of God

Dear friend in Christ, as we open our hearts to the words of Psalm 81, we find a beautiful tapestry woven with celebration, remembrance, and a tender plea from our Heavenly Father. Penned by Asaph, this psalm echoes through the ages like a loving father’s call to his children, urging us to listen, obey, and experience the fullness of His blessings. From a Christian perspective, it points us ultimately to Jesus, the One who perfectly listened to the Father and invites us into that same intimate relationship. Let’s walk through this psalm together, verse by verse, allowing its warmth to draw us closer to God’s unchanging love.

The psalm begins with a joyful summons to worship (verses 1-3): “Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.” Imagine the scene—Israel gathered in festival, instruments resounding, voices lifted in exuberant praise. This isn’t mere ritual; it’s a heartfelt response to God’s strength and faithfulness. As Christians, we see this mirrored in our own worship, whether in church gatherings or personal quiet times. Just as the feasts like Passover reminded Israel of God’s deliverance, our celebrations of Communion point us to Christ’s ultimate rescue on the cross. What a joy it is to shout for joy to God.

In verses 4-5, the psalm grounds this worship in God’s command: “For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob. He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a language I had not known.” Here, God reminds His people that their festivals are rooted in His redemptive acts, particularly the Exodus. The “language I had not known” may refer to the psalmist hearing the voice of God speaking – the remainder of the Psalm shifts to a first-person account as God speaks a word directly to His people. Asaph writes down the words as God speaks. For us today, this evokes how God speaks in ways we might not expect—through Scripture, prayer, or circumstances. In Christ, we hear the clearest voice of all: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Have you paused lately to listen for His voice amid the noise of life?

God then recounts His loving actions in verses 6-7: “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.” These words paint a picture of tender care—God lifting the heavy loads of slavery, answering cries from the thunderous cloud at Sinai, and even testing His people to refine their faith. Selah invites us to pause and reflect. As believers, we can relate this to how Jesus bore our burdens on the cross: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). What burdens are you carrying today? God is the same Deliverer, ready to free you through His Son.

The heart of the psalm shifts to a direct admonition in verses 8-10: “Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Oh, the longing in God’s voice! He calls us to exclusive devotion, echoing the first commandment. “Open your mouth wide” is like a parent feeding a child—God promises abundant provision if we trust Him alone. In a Christian light, this foreshadows Jesus as the Bread of Life: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger” (John 6:35). Yet how often do we turn to “foreign gods” like worry, success, or distractions? God invites us to open wide and let Him satisfy our deepest needs.

Sadly, verses 11-12 reveal the consequences of ignoring that call: “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.” Israel’s rebellion led to God allowing them to face the fruit of their choices, much like the warnings in Romans 1 where God “gave them up” to their sins. This isn’t abandonment but a sorrowful discipline, meant to draw us back. As Christians, we know the grace in Christ that breaks this cycle—through the Holy Spirit, we can submit and find freedom from stubborn hearts.

The psalm culminates in God’s passionate yearning in verses 13-16: “Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, and their fate would be forever. But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” What a beautiful “if only”! God’s promises overflow—victory over enemies, provision like manna and water from the rock. For us, this points to Christ as the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), from whom flows living water and eternal satisfaction. Listening to God isn’t about earning blessings; it’s about stepping into the abundant life Jesus offers: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Beloved, Psalm 81 is God’s warm invitation to listen and obey, not out of fear, but from love. In Christ, we have the perfect example of One who listened fully to the Father, even unto the cross, securing our redemption. Today, let’s quiet our hearts, turn from distractions, and open wide to His provision. May we walk in His ways and taste the honey-sweet blessings He longs to give.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us through Your Word. Help us to listen like Jesus did, submitting our hearts to You. Relieve our burdens, fill us with Your goodness, and lead us in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -50

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A Devotion on Psalm 50: A Call to Authentic Worship

Psalm 50 feels like a divine courtroom scene, where God Himself takes the stand, not to condemn but to call His people back to true worship. As I read through its verses, I’m struck by how God’s voice thunders with authority yet pleads with love. He’s not after empty rituals or half-hearted offerings; He desires hearts that are fully His. This psalm challenges me to examine my own worship—am I offering God what He truly seeks, or am I just going through the motions?

The psalm opens with a vivid picture of God’s majesty: “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets” (Psalm 50:1, NIV). This isn’t a distant deity but a present, powerful God who commands attention. Yet, He’s not impressed by our sacrifices alone. “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine,” He declares (Psalm 50:9-10). It’s humbling to realize that God owns everything—my offerings are not about meeting His needs but about expressing my devotion.

This reminds me of Anthony, one of the Desert Fathers, who said, “I no longer fear God, but I love Him. For love casts out fear.” God isn’t looking for sacrifices out of obligation or fear, as the Israelites sometimes offered. He’s after a heart transformed by love, one that offers worship as a response to His greatness. When I bring my tithes, my time, or my talents, am I doing so out of duty, or is it an overflow of gratitude for who He is?

As the psalm progresses, God addresses two groups: the faithful who need correction and the wicked who need repentance. To the faithful, He says, “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you” (Psalm 50:16-17). This stings. It’s a reminder that I can sing worship songs, attend church, or quote Scripture, but if my life doesn’t reflect obedience, my words are hollow. Another of the Desert Fathers, Poemen, echoes this: “We have not been taught to close the door of our lips, but to open the door of our heart.” True worship isn’t just what I say, it’s how I live when no one’s watching.

To the wicked, God’s tone is sharper, warning them of judgment if they continue in hypocrisy. Yet even here, there’s grace: “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you” (Psalm 50:22). It’s a sobering call to turn back before it’s too late. God’s desire isn’t destruction but restoration. He ends with hope: “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation” (Psalm 50:23). A thank offering—simple gratitude—pleases Him more than elaborate rituals.

This brings to mind Macarius, who said, “If you do not have charity in your heart, you have nothing.” Psalm 50 underscores that worship is rooted in a heart of gratitude and love, not in outward displays. When I offer thanks, even in hardship, I align my heart with God’s. It’s not about perfection but sincerity—a life that seeks to honor Him in both word and deed.

As I reflect on Psalm 50, I’m challenged to ask: Is my worship authentic? Do I live out the faith I profess? God doesn’t need my offerings, but He wants my heart. May I, like the early Christian hermits, learn to offer Him not just my words but my whole self, in love and gratitude.

Prayer:

Lord, You are the Mighty One who owns all things, yet You seek my heart. Forgive me for times I’ve offered empty rituals instead of true devotion. Teach me to worship You with a grateful and obedient heart, reflecting Your love in all I do. Amen.

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -33

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A Devotion on Psalm 33: A Song of the Heart

Imagine standing on a windswept hill at dawn, the sky ablaze with hues of amber and rose, as if God Himself is painting the heavens with a brush dipped in glory. The world feels alive—grasses swaying like a choir, birds weaving melodies into the air, and the distant rumble of the sea echoing like a heartbeat. This is the scene Psalm 33 invites us into: a vibrant call to worship, a reminder that the Creator’s handiwork surrounds us, and His steadfast love fills every corner of our lives.

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him” (Psalm 33:1). I picture myself here, not just reading these words but feeling them. My heart, sometimes heavy with worries—bills piling up, relationships fraying, or the quiet ache of uncertainty—finds a spark of joy in this command. It’s as if God is saying, “Lift your eyes, my child. Look at the world I’ve made. Let it teach you to sing.” So, I imagine picking up a guitar, my fingers fumbling over the strings, offering a shaky but earnest song to the One who never falters.

The psalmist goes on: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth” (v. 6). I think of the nights I’ve stood under a canopy of stars, each one a pinpoint of light, like a promise God whispered into the dark. Those stars weren’t just flung into place; they were spoken into being. And if God’s word can craft galaxies, surely it can speak peace into my chaos. I recall a moment last year when anxiety gripped me—my job felt unsteady, my plans unclear. Yet, reading this, I’m reminded that the same God who breathed out constellations knows my name and holds my future.

“For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” (v. 9). This verse feels like a rock under my feet. I see a stormy sea, waves crashing like doubts, threatening to pull me under. But God’s command is stronger than the storm. I think of times I’ve felt unsteady—when a friend’s betrayal stung or when grief left me hollow. Yet, God’s word stands firm, a lighthouse cutting through the fog, guiding me back to hope.

The psalm shifts to God’s sovereignty: “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever” (vv. 10–11). I imagine a grand chessboard, where human schemes move like pawns, ambitious but fragile. God, the master player, sees every move before it’s made. I confess, I’ve made my own plans—career goals, dreams of a perfect life—only to watch them unravel. Yet, I’m learning to trust His plans instead. His plans, unlike mine, don’t waver.

And then, the heartbeat of the psalm: “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love” (v. 18). I picture God’s eyes, warm and steady, like a father watching his child take their first steps. He sees me—not just my successes but my stumbles, my quiet tears, my unspoken fears. His unfailing love feels like a river, steady and deep, carrying me through dry seasons. I remember a night of prayer, feeling alone, yet sensing His presence like a warm hand on my shoulder, whispering, “I’m here.”

As the psalm closes, it’s a prayer: “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you” (v. 22). I make this my prayer today, standing on that hill in my mind, the wind carrying my words heavenward. I see my life—imperfect, messy, but held by a God who paints skies and calms seas. I choose to hope, to sing, to trust.

Reflection:

Take a moment to step outside or look out a window. Notice one piece of creation—a tree, a cloud, a star. Let it remind you of God’s power and love. Write or speak a one-sentence prayer, offering your own song of trust to Him.

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -29

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A Devotional on Psalm 29: The Voice of the Lord

As I sit with Psalm 29, I’m struck by its vivid imagery and the way it calls me to pause and marvel at the power and majesty of God. This psalm, written by David, paints a picture of God’s voice thundering over creation, commanding awe and worship. It’s a reminder that the same God who speaks with earth-shaking authority is the One who knows me personally and invites me into His presence. Let’s dive into this beautiful psalm and let its truth anchor our hearts today.

The Power of God’s Voice
Psalm 29 begins with a call to worship: “Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (Psalm 29:1-2, NIV). David urges us to give God the honor He deserves, not because He needs it, but because it’s the only fitting response to His greatness. I love how C.S. Lewis reflects on worship, saying it’s not about God needing our praise but about us stepping into the joy of recognizing His worth. When I read these verses, I’m reminded to lift my eyes from my daily grind and fix them on the One who is infinitely worthy.

Then comes the heart of the psalm: the voice of the Lord. Seven times, David repeats this phrase, describing God’s voice as powerful, majestic, breaking cedars, shaking the desert, and twisting oaks (Psalm 29:3-9). It’s a poetic way of saying that God’s voice is unstoppable. It’s not just loud—it’s creative, authoritative, and transformative. I think of how Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher, described God’s voice as “the very essence of divine power.” When God speaks, things happen. The same voice that spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1) speaks into my life, calling me to trust, to obey, to rest.

A Personal Connection
As I reflect on this, I’m humbled by the thought that this mighty God, whose voice can shatter the strongest trees, cares about the details of my life. There’s a moment in the psalm where David says, “The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth” (Psalm 29:9). It’s such a tender image amidst the storm and thunder—a reminder that God’s power isn’t just destructive or grand; it’s also gentle, bringing life and care to His creation. I’ve felt this in my own life. There are days when I’m overwhelmed, when the storms of life feel like they’ll break me. But then I sense God’s voice—not as a distant roar, but as a quiet whisper, reminding me that He’s near, that He’s enough.

John Piper once said that God’s glory and our joy are not at odds; they’re intertwined. Psalm 29 shows this so clearly. When I stand in awe of God’s power, I find peace. When I recognize His majesty, I’m reminded that He’s in control, even when my world feels chaotic. The psalm ends with a promise that resonates deeply: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). This isn’t just a nice thought—it’s a lifeline. God doesn’t just display His power; He shares it with us, giving us strength to face our challenges and peace to rest in His sovereignty.

Applying Psalm 29 Today
So, what does this mean for you and me? First, let’s take time to worship. Maybe it’s through a song, a prayer, or simply sitting in silence, marveling at who God is. Let’s ascribe to Him the glory due His name, as David urges. Second, let’s listen for His voice. In a world full of noise—social media, news, our own anxieties—God’s voice is still speaking. Maybe it’s through Scripture, a gentle nudge in prayer, or the encouragement of a friend. His voice is powerful enough to calm the storms in our hearts.

Finally, let’s trust the promise of verse 11. I know life can feel like a wilderness sometimes, shaken by trials or uncertainties. But the God who shakes the desert and breaks the cedars is the same God who gives us strength and peace. As A.W. Tozer once wrote, “With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?”

Prayer
Lord, Your voice is mighty, yet You speak to me with love and care. Help me to worship You in the splendor of Your holiness, to listen for Your voice above the noise, and to trust in Your strength and peace. Thank You for being both powerful and personal. May my life reflect Your glory today. Amen.

As you go through your day, may you hear the voice of the Lord—powerful, majestic, and full of love for you. Let it draw you into worship and fill you with His peace.

Does God Really Delight In Us?

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The question of whether God delights in humanity is both profound and deeply personal, touching on the nature of Divine love, human worth, and the relationship between Creator and creation. Within Christianity, various theological traditions offer nuanced perspectives on God’s delight in us. Today, I would like to show how both conservative and reformed Christians answer the title question. By synthesizing their viewpoints, a cohesive understanding of God’s delight in us can be found.

Conservative Christians are often characterized by their high view of Scripture and an emphasis on a personal relationship with God. which leads them to affirm that God delights in His people. This perspective draws heavily from biblical passages that depict God’s love and affection for humanity. Zephaniah 3:7 states, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” This verse paints a vivid picture of a God who not only loves, but also rejoices over His people with emotional warmth.

Passages similar to the above are often cited as evidence of God’s personal and relational nature. They emphasize that God created humans in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), endowing them with inherent worth and dignity. Even after the Fall, God’s pursuit of humanity through the covenants, the giving of the Law, and ultimately the incarnation of Jesus Christ demonstrates His desire for relationship. The New Testament reinforces this with verses like John 3:16 which underscores God’s love as the motivation for sending His Son.

In the conservative Christian view, God’s delight is particularly evident in the redeemed — those who have accepted Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This view points to verses like Psalm 147:11, “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”, to argue that God takes pleasure in the faith and obedience of His followers. However, this delight is not based on human merit but on God’s gracious choice to love and redeem sinners. The conservative perspective thus balances God’s holiness with His relational affection, affirming that believers are cherished by a God who is both just and loving.

The Reformed tradition approaches the question of God’s delight through the lens of Divine sovereignty and election — God’s eternal decree to save a particular people for His glory. While the language of “delight” may be less emotive in the Reformed discussion, the concept is present, framed within the doctrine of God’s good pleasure.

In this view, God’s delight in humanity is primarily tied to His elect, those chosen before the foundation of the world for salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5). This delight is not based on human worthiness, as humanity is totally depraved and incapable of earning God’s favor (Romans 3:10-12). Instead, God’s delight flows from His sovereign will to glorify Himself through the redemption of sinners. As Ephesians 1:5-6 notes, God predestined believers “for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace.” Other passages such as Isaiah 62:4-5 are pointed at where God’s relationship with His people is likened to a bridegroom rejoicing over his bride, to affirm that God takes pleasure in His covenant people. However, this delight is understood within the context of God’s immutable nature. Unlike human emotions, which fluctuate, God’s delight is eternal and unchanging, rooted in His decision to love on His people (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) This viewpoint also underscores that God’s delight is ultimately Christ-centered. Believers are accepted “in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6) meaning God’s pleasure in His people is mediated through their union with Christ. Because Christ is the object of the Father’s supreme delight (Matthew 3:17) those who are in Christ share in this Divine favor. God’s delight, then, is not contingent on human performance, but on the finished work of Christ.

While these two viewpoints differ in emphasis, they converge on several key truths:

  1. God’s delight is rooted in His nature Both perspectives affirm that God’s delight flows from His character as a loving and gracious God. Conservatives emphasize the emotional and relational aspects of this delight while the Reformed highlight its sovereignty and eternal nature. Together these views present a God who is both deeply personal and supremely authoritative, delighting in His people because of who He is.
  2. Humanity’s worth is derived from God. Both traditions agree that human beings have no inherent merit to earn God’s delight. Conservatives stress the Imago Dei and God’s redemptive love while the Reformed underscore humanity’s total depravity and election. Together they show that God’s delight is an act of grace, not a response to human achievement.
  3. Christ is central to God’s delight. Both viewpoints center God’s delight in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Conservative highlight the relational restoration made possible through Christ’s sacrifice while Reformed theology emphasizes union with Christ as the basis for Divine favor. Together they show that God’s love is not a vague sentiment, but a concrete reality grounded in truth.
  4. God’s delight calls for response Both see God’s delight as transformative. Conservatives often frame this as a call to personal obedience and faith, encouraging believers to live in light of God’s love. Reformers emphasize the perseverance of the saints, viewing God’s delight as a motivator for holiness and worship. Together they inspire believers to respond with gratitude, trust, and devotion.

Some final notes. Conservative Christians run the risk of anthropomorphizing God when emphasizing His relational warmth. Reformed Christians run the opposite risk, downplaying the emotional richness of God’s love. A synthesis mitigates this by presenting a more balanced view of God, who is both sovereign and relational, eternal and intimate.

The question “Does God really delight in us?” finds a resounding YES in both traditions. Together, they proclaim a God who delights in His people not because of their worthiness but because of His gracious choice, manifested by the redeeming work of Christ. This truth is both humbling and exhilarating. It calls us to rest in God’s unchanging love, to live in gratitude for His grace, and to worship the One who rejoices over us with singing.

An Easter Poem

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In the dawn of Easter morn, we rise

With hearts reformed, we lift our eyes

The tomb is empty, the stone rolled away,

Christ our Savior, has conquered the day.

No works of ours could earn this grace

No law could meet God’s holy face

By faith alone, through Christ we’re freed

His blood, our ransom, meets every need

The cross once heavy with sin’s dark weight

Now stands as hope, our eternal gate

He bore the wrath, the curse undone

In Him, God’s justice and mercy won

Reborn in truth, we sing His name

Sovereign Lord, forever the same

From death to life, His Spirit calls

Redeemed, we worship, as grace enthralls

This Easter, let our souls proclaim

The Risen King, whose Word shall reign

In Christ alone, our hope is sure

Forever His, forever secure

40 Days of Praise — Day 3

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If you haven’t listened to this book on Audible you are in for a treat – the background singing of the hymns is awesome. Also available in paperback on Amazon.

O WORSHIP THE KING by Robert Grant

O worship the King, all glorious above

O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love

Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days

Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace

Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space

Whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form

 And dark is His path on the wings of the storm

 The earth with its store of wonders untold

 Almighty Thou power hath founded of old

 Hath established it fast by a changeless decree

  And round it has cast like a mantle, the sea

  Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite

   It breathes in the air, it shines in the light

  It streams from the hills, it descends to the plains

   And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain

   Frail children of dust and feeble as frail

   In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail

   Thy mercies, how tender, how firm to the end

   Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend

This majestic song lifts you up in praise to the One seated on the Everlasting throne. The use of adjectives such as shield, defender, friend, maker and redeemer tell us of God’s character.

Here is no aloof God, watching from way off in space. Here is a God intimately involved with His creation. This is, make no mistake, a hymn about the Creator and His creation. It was based on Psalm 104. In a day where evolution is held to be absolute truth, this hymn helps us to unashamedly sing out our belief in a personal Creator God.

The third stanza unapologetically states that God formed the world. The writer has in mind both the Genesis account of Moses and the book of Job, where God tells Job that He put boundaries on the waters.

God’s love and providence for His creation is evident throughout the song. It is because He cares and desires so deeply for us to have a relationship with Him, that we are able to sing of His glory and might.

God is our shield, an ever-present help in times of trouble. He defends us against the slanderous attacks of our adversary. He is our friend as well as our Lord, a mind-blowing concept is ever there was one. Most of all, He is our creator and our redeemer. He made us for Himself and redeemed us for Himself. All praise to the King of Kings, who is worthy of all glory and honor.

As you pray today, thank God for the ways He manifests Himself to you – a shield, defender, redeemer. He is not only your maker, but He will be your friend if you would yield your life to Him.

Thank you Lord, for creating us and the beautiful world we live in. We worship You, King of the Universe, and give you all glory and honor and praise.

A Heart Hungry To Worship Part 15

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This is the final installation in this series. Hopefully God has been able to use this to draw you into a closer relationship with Him.

Worship is not about us and how we feel; it is about giving God the honor due His name. His Word, not our feelings, define that “honor”, which is due Him.[1]

Chapter 14

In Spirit and in Truth

            At the end of the second chapter, a question was raised: “What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth?” Subsequent chapters have helped to lay the foundation for the answer to that question, which we will now consider. We will look at each of the terms Jesus used: worship, spirit, and truth, in order.

                                    Worship

            The word Jesus uses  for worship in John 4:24 is proskuneo in Greek (or shachah in Hebrew). It means to “bow down” or “prostrate” oneself. The connotation is to engage in an act of humility, submission and reverence toward God.

            In His conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus pointed out to her that the Samaritan’s idea of worshipping God was wrong. “You worship what you do not know, we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.”[2] The Samaritans worshipped God through ritual. For them, God was not personal. He was viewed as the Creator but not as their Father. Jesus was very deliberate in addressing God as Father (3 times in a row) emphasizing the personal nature of the relationship. He was trying to show her what was missing in her worship – a personal touch.

            The only way true worship of God can take place is for a person to enter into a personal relationship with Him. God has to become their Father and they His children. The Samaritans knew God’s name, but not His character, personality or purposes. This is true of many people today. They know of God, but they do not know God personally for they have never experienced His salvation.

            Unless a person accepts God’s salvation, he or she cannot enter into a filial (family) relationship with Him. Without this personal relationship, one cannot worship Him correctly. “In other words, one can know and worship God by experiencing His salvation which is in Jesus and which enables the worshipper to call God “abba”, Father.”[3]

            This is one reason why Jesus Christ came to Earth. He came to personalize God and to model the type of relationship with Him that God desires.

In Spirit

            Christ, in the statement He made to the Samaritan woman, makes worship a matter of the heart, not ritual or tradition. Worship has sincerity at its core. It is the response of one’s spirit to the Spirit of God, a communing of one to the other. While worship can be planned, most often it is spontaneous, a response to proximity with God.

            The New Testament uses different phrases to illustrate what it means when a person submits their life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Phrases such as “born again”, “born from above,” or “becoming a new creation” serve to convey the idea of what it means to become a child of God. The language of adoption is also used, with God the Father shown as adopting sons and daughters into His Kingdom, out of the kingdom of this world.

Those who have experienced this adoption, this being “born again”, are the only ones who can worship God in spirit because the spirit now in them is the Spirit of God. You see, at the moment of salvation a wonderful event occurs. God recreates us spiritually (we are born anew) which allows us to interact with Him intimately. This is what Jesus was telling the Samaritan woman. She did not need to worry about where to worship. She needed to understand how to be able to worship. She needed to experience a rebirth, spiritually. Jesus had a very similar conversation with a man called Nicodemus in John, chapter 3.

Intellectual, erudite, skilled in rhetoric and theology, Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking answers. Nicodemus was “the” teacher of Israel, their premier religious instructor. He had heard Jesus speak, he had seen the miracles Jesus had performed, and he accepted the truth that Jesus was a man sent by God, yet he was not a Christian. He did not accept that Jesus was more than a man sent from God, that Jesus was God in the flesh.

When Nicodemus approached Jesus, he gave him a very sincere compliment. He was met by a very confrontational reply, “Unless you are born again, you will not see the kingdom of God.”  Jesus tells the premier religious teacher in Israel that he is not going to be in God’s Kingdom unless he experiences a spiritual rebirth. The word Jesus uses for rebirth means a transformation so complete that it will allow a person to enter another world and adapt to its conditions. He is telling Nicodemus that he needs to undergo a complete metamorphosis in order to enter the Kingdom of God. He is saying to Nicodemus, “Unless you allow me to spiritually transform you, you will not be able to survive in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus is insisting that Nicodemus undergoes a spiritual change from who he is currently, to what he needs to be. To Nicodemus, this statement is staggering. He understands what Jesus is implying, that his religion was futile. Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Pharisees tended to be hyper-legalists who externalized religion. They pursued a form of godliness that had no basis in reality. They were fanatically religious, striving to obey over 600 laws. For a Pharisee, salvation was obtained by works, doing things that they believed were pleasing to God. Being born again is something Nicodemus cannot do. Being born is something that happens to you, not something you do for yourself.

Nicodemus and Jesus did have something in common. Both were Jewish teachers. Jewish teachers taught spiritual truths in symbols. Nicodemus understands Jesus’ symbolism and answers back in kind. “How can a man, whose habits and ways of thinking have been fixed for so long, really be expected to change radically? Physical rebirth is impossible so is spiritual rebirth any more feasible? I can’t start over again. It’s too late. I’ve gone too far in my religious system to change now. I’d have to start all over again. My case is hopeless.”

Many people feel that way. Unlike Dinah, from chapter 3, they are too steeped in their religious tradition to be willing to change. They feel trapped and hopeless by beliefs that they have held all their lives and yet they are unwilling to change. It is not that they cannot change; it is that they will not change unless they allow God’s Spirit to convert them.

In order to satisfy the hunger of their hearts, in order to worship God correctly, they must allow God to transform their life spiritually. The new birth must come from the Holy Spirit of God. A person needs to be spiritually purified and spiritually reborn, and only the Spirit of God can only accomplish this.

We aren’t told how Nicodemus reacts to what he is told. He understands that Jesus is telling him that the new birth must be experienced in order to be understood. None of his scholarly wisdom will explain it. Only by immersing himself in Jesus will he be able to understand salvation.

Nicodemus knew about Jesus, had listened to Jesus, admired Jesus and complimented Jesus, but he did not know Jesus. He needed Jesus to transform his life through being born again.

Those whose hearts hunger to worship God must allow God to transform their life first. Then, they will be able to worship Him spirit to spirit. They will be able to hear Him and understand Him when He speaks. They will experience closeness, a sense of belonging, a kindred-ness with God that surpasses anything they could have imagined.  This is what Jesus means when He tells us we have to worship in spirit.

                        In Truth

            The second criteria Jesus says is necessary to be able to worship God is found in the phrase, “and in truth.” Knowing whom to worship, Jesus, is of supreme importance. To worship in ignorance makes a sham of religion.

            Truth, in biblical terms, is whatever is in harmony with the nature and will of God. The essence of true worship must be on God’s terms and He has revealed that the only worship He will accept is that which is based through Jesus Christ. The revelation of God in Christ is absolute truth.

            The issue is not where a person worships, but how they worship and whom they worship. The how is in spirit. The who is Jesus. Worship is more than just emotion. Too many people confuse the terms praise and worship. Praise is rooted in emotion. Worship is grounded in knowledge – the knowledge of God’s Word and the knowledge of God’s Son.

            By gaining a proper understanding of what Jesus said to the woman at the well, a person can come to worship God properly. A person can no longer sustain the argument that the format or form of worship does not matter. Jesus clearly states that it does. It must come from the spirit and it has to be rooted in God’s revealed truth. Not truth as a person feels it should be (subjective), but as it actually is, measured by divine revelation via the Bible (objective). When knowledge of God is deficient, worship of Him will also be deficient.

            Since God has decreed that He will only accept worship that is grounded in and which flows through Jesus, this makes Christianity the only religion accepted by God. No other form of worship is accepted. A person cannot decide to worship God in whatever way he or she wants to. They did not make the standard. No religion can develop rules that make worship to God possible, because worship is rooted in and through the person of Jesus. Truth cannot be found in the Koran, Baghivad Gita, Pearl of Great Price or other religious works, because they do not contain the historical record of Jesus Christ and the truth of His life. Truth is not perception. Truth is an absolute.

            To worship God in spirit and in truth requires a person to come to God on His terms, surrendering their life to His Son Jesus, accepting His forgiveness and cleansing from sin. At that moment, the heart is renewed, God’s Spirit comes in, and fellowship begins with God that will last for an eternity.

            It is a wonderful thing to experience the transforming person of Jesus Christ. Just ask the Samaritan woman and her neighbors.

Conclusion

The common denominator in each person’s story is the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit’s power, people were drawn to the truth of Jesus Christ, had their spiritual eyes opened, their minds illuminated to understand Scripture and experienced forgiveness and cleansing. Though each of them came from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences, the same Spirit drew them into a relationship, or deeper into a relationship, with their Savior.

Those who had given up on life found a new purpose. Those who were lonely and afraid experienced a Savior who will never leave or abandon them. Those searching for spiritual answers found their answers in Jesus Christ. Those who saw life as a duty to be fulfilled instead found life as an adventure to be enjoyed and experienced.

The God of the universe created each individual. He knows our personalities. He knows our life, the choices we make and the struggles we face. In fact, you cannot disappoint God. Disappointment comes from unmet expectations. Since God knows everything that will ever happen, since He knows everything you will ever say or do before you say or do it, you cannot disappoint Him. He knows all about you and still reaches out to draw you into a relationship with Him.

There is no one so bad, so evil, so immoral that He cannot redeem him or her. There is no one so tainted by sin that He cannot cleanse. There is no one so far away, so lost, that He cannot find. God made people with both the capacity and the desire to worship Him. His Holy Spirit calls to people and will guide them into a knowledge of how to worship the Living God if they will submit to Him.

St. Augustine of Hippo said it most eloquently. “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and drawn us to You. Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You. “[4]

Do you have a heart that is restless? Does your heart hunger for God? Perhaps you might echo St. Augustine’s cry:

“My heart is listening, Lord. Open the ears of my heart and say to my soul – I am your salvation. Let me run towards this voice and seize hold of You.”[5]

Satisfy the hunger of your heart by opening yourself up to the Spirit of God.

[1] Dean G. Thomas

[2] John 4:22

[3] Jey Kanagaraj: Worship, Sacrifice and Mission:Themes Interlocked in John, Indian Journal of Theology V.40.1&2 1998

[4] Confession of St. Augustine, Book 1, Chapter 1

[5] Ibid

A Heart Hungry To Worship Part 14

/ taethne

Jesus found him. The man did not find Jesus; Jesus found him. That is the deepest truth of Christian faith; Jesus found me. Our fellowship with Him is rooted in His compassion.[1]

Chapter 13

Steve and Sarina’s Story

            It has been many years since Steve and Sarina experienced the life transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Despite the passage of time, they have never lost the wonder and excitement of being chosen, out of all the people in the world, by God. Their gratitude over being adopted into God’s heavenly family has only deepened as time has marched on.

            Steve and Sarina came into my life one afternoon in need of a favor. One of their daughters was weeks away from being married. The pastor of their church had resigned and moved away, leaving them without someone to officiate the wedding. Not wanting just anyone, Steve and Sarina went looking for a minister with the same doctrinal beliefs. I agreed to meet with them and we sat and talked for quite some time. Over the next few days, a friendship developed between our two families, one that would continue to grow and deepen.

            The wedding went off as planned and as our friendship grew, I came to admire their deep faith and love for God. It didn’t come as too much of a surprise when they showed up for church one Sunday morning. As the congregation sang, I couldn’t help but notice Sarina’s voice. Strong and beautiful, her voice brought a rich fullness to the service. Afterwards, I asked her to consider joining the choir and helping to lead the congregational singing. I was given such a funny look that I was afraid that I had somehow offended her. I dropped the subject rather awkwardly, and prayed that whatever misstep I had done would be revealed.

            The following Sunday, some of our ushers were absent. On the spur of the moment, I asked Steve if he would mind helping the other guys collect the offerings during the service. He hesitantly agreed, but I was struck with the feeling that I had again done something not quite right.

            Earlier in the week, knowing Steve’s mechanical skills, I had asked him to take a look at some equipment the church owned that needed fixing. After the service was over, I gave him a key to the church and told him that he could pick up the equipment anytime and take it to his shop. I was shocked to see this big bear of a man tear up, drop the key like a hot potato, and stammer incomprehensibly. I knew then that something was definitely wrong and that I needed to investigate. Over coffee the following day, their story came out.

            Steve and Sarina had both come to faith in Jesus Christ as adults. At the time, they lived back East and they moved to Montana not too long after their conversion experience. A gifted mechanic, Steve loved to restore old vehicles to their original conditions. They had a wonderful family and were very outgoing and jovial. They were relatively young Christians and had not had the opportunity to be discipled in the faith. The church they had been attending was doctrinally similar to ours. Steve and Sarina were charter members, excited to become part of a new church so soon after moving to a new state. For the last seven or eight years they faithfully attended every service. There was one glaring difference between our two churches, though.

            In their church, a person could not sing in the choir, usher, teach, take up an offering, play an instrument or even lead a corporate prayer unless they were judged to be spiritually mature enough by the pastor. For over seven years this couple, full of desire to worship the God they loved, were told that they hadn’t reached a spiritual level high enough to be acceptable to God. That was why it was so shocking to them that I had asked them to participate in our services. They did not feel worthy enough.

            Rarely have I ever been so angry in my life. Here were these wonderful people, passionate about their faith, full of untapped talent and zeal, eager to serve the Lord in any capacity, that were victims of a misguided human tyrant. I was outraged that a human being, under the guise of a minister of God, would dare to intervene and prohibit one of God’s children from worshipping their Father.

            This was why they had reacted so peculiarly to my requests. They didn’t feel worthy enough to sing in the choir or take up an offering. To be offered the responsibility of having a key to the church was overwhelming to them. Their natural response of wanting to serve and worship the Lord who had saved them had been stifled by years under the teaching of a person who had added rules and regulations to Holy Scriptures.

            I began sharing with them, from the Bible, how God gifted each one of us with certain abilities and talents. I shared how God desires us to use those talents and abilities in service for His Kingdom. We talked about how God delights in hearing the praises of His children. We discussed how even new Christians, those still immature in their faith, could please God and render acceptable service to Him. Most of all, I shared how they could find their worth and identity in their relationship with Jesus Christ. I used Steve’s passion for rebuilding cars as an example of how God rebuilds us, how He begins the process of transforming us into the image of His Son through the power of the Holy Spirit. They began to get excited as God’s truth penetrated the shell of false teachings they had believed for years. They began to truly understand and accept God’s love for them and His declaration that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are Christ Jesus.”[2]

            The change in their lives was dramatic. Freed from a false sense of guilt and feelings of inadequacy, Steve and Sarina pursued worshipping God with fervor. Joy at finally being able to express how much they loved their Savior and Lord poured forth from them like a torrent. Their faith was infectious, changing those around them for the better. Many people were attracted to the gospel of Christ by observing the passion and excitement that penetrated their lives. God began preparing Steve and Sarina for even greater things as they matured in their knowledge of Him. Like sponges, they soaked up Scripture; their minds grasping the deep truths of God as they put into practice the teachings of the Bible.

            Almost a year after our conversation over coffee, Steve was ordained as an evangelist. Far from being unworthy to serve, the Holy Spirit uses Steve to witness for Him in a mighty way. For almost two decades now, he has served with a group of Christian motorcycle riders, sharing the gospel in places not easily accessible to most Christians. His wife accompanies him quite often, in between the Bible studies she leads for various ladies’ groups.             As I look back on their lives of service for God, I am filled with joy, sadness and pride. Joy, seeing how much Steve and Sarina have accomplished for the Lord and for the happiness that explodes out of them as they serve. Sadness, because of the wasted years under the influence of a person who does not understand grace or what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth. I have a sinking feeling that Steve and Sarina are not the only followers of Jesus Christ whose worship of Him has been stifled by false teaching. I shudder to think of the potential consequences faced by those who interfere with God’s children worshipping Him with all their heart, soul, strength and mind. Pride, at being used by God to assist Steve and Sarina, in helping them come into a realization of their worth in God’s sight. I pray that God will continue to use Steve, Sarina and I to reach out to the multitude of people that have yet to experience true worship. Not just those who have yet to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but also to those whose relationship with Him has been hindered from growing. It is vitally important to be able to share the meaning of how worship in spirit and in truth accurately, so this can take place.

[1] William Temple, Readings in St. John’s Gospel

[2] Romans 8:1

A Heart Hungry To Worship Part 11

/ taethne

An army of deer led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a deer[1]

Chapter 10

Timothy’s Story

To live up to high expectations that are placed on you is not an easy task. It places a heavy burden on any person to be told from childhood that a great destiny awaits you. You try your best not to disappoint those who believe in you. Sometimes you try so hard that your life becomes a duty instead of an adventure. A young man in the New Testament understood that very well. His name was Timothy and great things were prophesied about him.

Born to a family whose father was not a Christian, Timothy was grounded in the faith by his mother and grandmother who were believers.[2] The apostle Paul served as a type of surrogate father to him, especially in spiritual matters.[3] Timothy excelled in faith and virtue[4], becoming a trusted partner of the great Apostle.

Timothy had a cheerful disposition, took on challenging assignments in the ministry and aided Paul through many campaigns. He was a teacher and a leader that Paul could count on. Handpicked by Paul to serve in places like Ephesus[5],Troas[6]and Corinth[7], Timothy seemed to have it all together. Yet, hanging over all that he did, was the specter of expectations yet unfulfilled.

Twice in Paul’s first letter to Timothy reference is made to prophecies made about the young minister.[8] These prophecies are what put a burden of expectation upon Timothy. Having a mentor who is a living legend expecting great things from you is daunting enough. Having prophecies about you that come from the Holy Spirit – that leads to a lot of pressure. While Timothy was by nature a pleasant and trustworthy person, he is also described as having physical weaknesses[9], or infirmities, and timidity.[10] He seems to have a non-confrontational personality and yet he was challenged by Paul over and over to confront those who were wrong in their beliefs and teachings. Some of the things Paul instructed Timothy to do were:

  • Correct false teaching[11]
  • Fight for the true faith[12]
  • Point out errors in false teaching[13]
  • Discipline himself to godly living[14]
  • Proclaim the gospel publically[15]
  • Guard God’s Word[16]
  • Authoritatively lead[17], and
  • Do the work of an evangelist[18]

Paul admonishes Timothy to be a good soldier[19] who would fight for the faith and stand firm on the truths of God. For a personality such as his, this would be difficult. Timothy would struggle between who he was and what God was calling him to become.

This is a very familiar scenario for many Christians. While not everyone has clear prophecies uttered over them, all of God’s children have a service He calls them to perform. All of us have some knowledge of what God wants us to be for Him and the discrepancy between that and who we currently are is sometimes very great.

Timothy had performed admirably for Paul up to the time of the second letter. Like Matthias, Timothy had performed his duty. In order to go on, to go further in the ministry, Timothy was going to have to learn how to serve God out of love. He needed to learn to go beyond duty, to anticipate and take the lead over his churches. By this time in his life, Timothy should not have to wait until orders from Paul arrived. He should have the confidence in his training, his skills, his God and be the leader he was prophesied to become. Timothy was ready to graduate to the next level of leadership and Paul was pushing him along.

Timothy needed confidence. When a person is acting out of duty, following orders, there is a safety net built in. If things go wrong you can always fall back on the old excuse, “I was just following orders.” To seize the reigns and lead is to cut away the safety rope and take responsibility. That takes courage. It takes ownership. Timothy needed to be reminded of the God who believed in him. He needed to be reminded of the God who equipped him with gifts and talents. He needed to be reminded of his training, of his faith honed from his upbringing with Paul. He needed reminding of how he had forged this faith through his adventures and travels. Timothy needed confidence in who and what he was – a minister of God. He needed to stop worrying about his young age, what his detractors thought of him, his reputation, or his physical constitution.

Paul’s letters to Timothy are equally encouraging and scolding. It was time for Timothy to step up and become the man God intended him to be. Paul’s final charge to Timothy, to do the work of an evangelist[20], is a call for him to stop hiding behind his comfort zone and engage people face to face with the gospel message. That is what Timothy was called to do. Yes, he was a great pastor. Yes, he knew how to lead a church. To do the work of an evangelist meant going outside the church and engage lost people wherever they were.

Whenever God calls one of His children to do something for Him, it always entails moving beyond a person’s comfort zone. It always includes developing new skills, new talents, and new approaches. God uses all of our experiences and all of the natural abilities He has already gifted us with, but He moves us beyond all of those things so that we become completely dependent on Him for effectiveness and so that He alone receives all the glory.

For us, it is a call to trust Him. It is a call to believe that we can accomplish all things through His power as He has promised. It is a call to go beyond duty. It is a call to do more than obey because we are scared of failing, afraid of punishment, or fearful of ridicule. God wants us to obey Him out of love, not just out of duty. Repeatedly Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed[21] of testifying of the Lord but to proclaim boldly the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Paul knows that when Timothy starts serving out of love and not out of duty or fear of letting someone down that he will be freed to accomplish great things for the Lord.

Timothy will serve out of love. He will accomplish great things for the Lord. Church history tells of some of the things Timothy accomplished in his lifetime. We know that he led Ephesus to become a bastion of orthodoxy, for we read in Revelation 2:2-3 of their testing of those who claimed to speak in the name of Christ. We also know that Timothy is spoken of in the highest way in other New Testament letters. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul writes,

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.  But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”[22]

Paul says that Timothy has the same mind set as his own. He says that Timothy does not seek his own comfort, his own advancement, but looks out for the welfare of others. He has a self-sacrificing spirit. Very few compliments for a Christian to receive are better than this one. His character, Paul says, is proven. It is an established fact. This spirit of sincerely caring for others can only come from love, not duty. Timothy becomes a person that lives up to all his potential, just as God foresaw.

The letter to the Hebrews mentions Timothy as well.

            “Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.”[23]

This seemingly obscure reference has a major revelation in it. Timothy was admonished by Paul not to be ashamed of the gospel, not to be embarrassed by his imprisonment, to go out of his comfort zone and engage the world. He did so and paid the price. Like his mentor, Timothy was thrown into prison for preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. That is what the term in Hebrews means when it says he was “set free.”

The young man who was once ashamed of his advisor’s imprisonment had now followed his example. Timothy threw off his timid nature and entered the spiritual battle for the souls of men with abandon. He would pay the ultimate price. History records that at age 69, Timothy scolded some citizens of Ephesus who were celebrating the idolatrous feast of Catagogion. This so exasperated the people that they fell upon him with their clubs, and beat him. He died from the beating two days later.

Timothy went from timid preacher to thundering ambassador, from an ashamed follower to an imprisoned disciple, from dutiful apprentice to loving encourager. Timothy’s transformation gives encouragement and hope to all followers of Jesus Christ.

To know what is right and do it is obedience. To know what is right and desire to do it stems from love. The Holy Spirit produces such desire in followers of Christ as they let him transform their lives. The Spirit is the one that brings about a life full of joy and completeness, satisfaction and celebration. Salvation is much more than life after death. It is also a fulfilling life now; one lived out with a love that comes from God above.

[1] Chabrias 410-375 B.C.

[2] 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15

[3] 1 Timothy 1:2,18

[4] 1 Timothy 1:5

[5] 1 Timothy 1:3

[6] Acts 20:4-6

[7] 1 Corinthians 16:10-11

[8] 1 Timothy 1:18, 4:14

[9] 1 Timothy 5:23

[10] 2 Timothy 1;6-8

[11] 1 Timothy 1:3-5

[12] 1 Timothy 1:18-19, 6:12

[13] 1 Timothy 4:6

[14] 1 Timothy 4:7

[15] 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:1-2

[16] 1 Timothy 20-21, 2 Timothy 1:12-14

[17] 2 Timothy 2:14

[18] 2 Timothy 4:5

[19] 2 Timothy 2:3

[20] 2 Timothy 4:5

[21] For example, 2 Timothy 1:8

[22] Philippians 2:19-22

[23] Hebrews 13:23