Discover the Book - July 29, 2013

 

The Fruits of Worship

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. -    Hebrews 13:15

Did you know that there will be many times that you will not "feel" like worshiping? Perhaps you have had so many disappointing experiences in the past that you think it is hardly worth it because there is such a low sense of the power of God. Even so, you still need to offer the sacrifice of worship to God.

The sacrifice of worship gets offered to God himself. It is vital that you join other saints to amplify your worship. When we are gathered for genuine worship, we are like a heap of burning coals encouraging one another to warmth of love and devotion. One log by itself cannot burn for very long, but when many logs are put together, even if they are poor logs, they can make quite a fire. Remember the counsel of Proverbs 27:17 that iron sharpens iron. Even rather dull lives can help each other if they are willing to try.

Go to church-even if you do not feel like it.
Go to church-even if worship has been discouraging and dry before.
Go to church-praying.
Go to church-expecting.
Go to church-looking for God to do a new and living work among you as His family.

The sacrifice of worship deepens repentance. Resentments cannot be held with the same tenacity when we enter His gracious light. As Jesus says, if we have broken fellowship with another person, we need to leave our gift at the altar and go set the matter straight. Christ is very explicit about this: "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). In worship, an increased power steals its way into the heart sanctuary and an increased compassion grows in the soul.

The sacrifice of worship bears the fruit of obedience. Just as worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change: Rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).

The sacrifice of worship widens our ministry. Holy Spirit-prompted ministry saves worship from becoming an escape from the pressing needs of the real people around us. Worship enables us to hear the call to service clearly so that we respond like Isaiah. When Isaiah had the vision of our majestic, holy, and righteous God sitting on His throne, full of all His glory, he was instantly brought to his knees with a sense of his total unworthiness (see Isaiah 6:1-8). He was humbled; there was no more room for pride. His worship of the Most High God produced repentance, obedience, and finally, ministry, as he cried out, "Here I am, Lord! Send me!" Though still very conscious of his sin, he had been prepared to serve anywhere, anytime, anyhow, or anyway God directed because he was completely submitted to God's will.

How would you evaluate your worship? Are you sensing that God is preparing you to serve anywhere, anytime, anyhow, or anyway as He directs? Are you willing to submit to that will?

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