JANUARY BLOG- Genuine Worship

JANUARY BLOG- Genuine Worship

“The time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshippers

will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23, New Living Translation (NLT)

Tradition, technique, and even talent are not what our worship to God at Hope is about.  And, is it safe to say that Hopers know that worshipping God isn’t just singing? Or that our worship shouldn’t be “saved up” for a once a week happening on Sunday mornings?  Has God answered one of your prayers? Great! Now give Him praise. Have you sinned? Then did you go to God and ask for His forgiveness? Did your conscience become more carefree?  Well, then, thank God from a full heart. Worship given to God in the Bible is always about God, not about human effort.

“Let my people go, so they can worship me in the wilderness.” was the word of the Lord to Pharaoh. Mary said, after being given the heavenly news that she would give birth to the Savior of the world, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.” (Luke 1:46, NLT)  

Of course, one of the most prolific worshippers in the Bible is David who wrote:

•    “Because you are my helper, I sing for joy...” (Ps 63:7, NLT) This was the praise of David during a difficult time in his life. David didn’t just worship God when things were going well.

•    “The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.” (Ps. 25:8, NLT)  This psalm was the result of David confessing sin to God, and sensing God’s favor once again, he penned this praise.

•    “David danced before the LORD with all his might wearing a priestly garment. So, David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.” (2 Sam. 6:14 – 15, NLT) The Presence of the LORD caused everyone’s heart to overflow in great worship!  

Because God was an integral part of David’s life, worship of God was central to who he was. Is worship and praise to God difficult for you at times?  Yep, me too. It’s called being human. But, there’s good news; God always accepts even my most meager offering, and He doesn’t take lightly that I’ve come to Him with less than I truly would like to give.  

Jesus said, “True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.”  That’s the folks who don’t wait for Sunday or for someone talented to lead them.  True worshippers see God in so much of their lives, and give Him praise for His loving kindness to them.

Wendy Lampier,

Worship Ministry Leader