7 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Isaiah 29:13 (CSB): “The Lord said: These people approach me with their speeches to honor me with lip-service — yet their hearts are far from me, and human rules direct their worship of me.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
For starters, let’s be clear that while our current Christian culture equates “worship” with “music,” we realize that biblical worship encompasses so much more. In fact, a biblical understanding of “worship” should include every moment of a believer’s life.
Romans 12:1 (CSB): “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”
But, since our current culture equates worship with Christian singing, let’s play along for a few moments and ask the question: “What kind of worship (music/singing) does God like?”
That question just seems weird, doesn’t it? That’s because we’re so used to asking: “What kind of worship do I like?”
We are an extremely self-centered lot.
In my ministry, there have been hundreds of times that people have said: “I really liked the songs that we sang in worship today.” But, I could count on one hand how many times I’ve heard people say: “I think the Lord really enjoyed our worship today.”
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So, if we could steer away, at least momentarily, from our own self-centered desire to worship with the songs and styles that we like, let’s ask the question: “What kind of worship (music/singing) does God like?”
For starters, we realize in the verse I have chosen for today that God isn’t interested in our worship if it doesn’t come from our heart, empowered by the Spirit. If we don’t feel it, if the words of our mouth don’t match the feelings of our heart, then it’s not pleasing to God.
Isaiah 29:13 (CSB): “The Lord said: These people approach me with their speeches to honor me with lip-service — yet their hearts are far from me, and human rules direct their worship of me.”
John 4:23 (CSB): “But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him.”
Next, we realize that God loves variety! In the following verse, we realize that there are at least 3 different types of worship songs that the Lord has told us to sing (obviously, He enjoys them), and they need to proclaim the truth we discover in God’s Word.
Colossians 3:16 (CSB): “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Further, we realize that God loves all different styles and languages. God doesn’t just enjoy first century Christians singing in Aramaic. He also has enjoyed the sincere, Bible-centered, Christ-honoring music that the saints have sung throughout every era in every country. In fact, God loves every nation so much that He desires for people from every nation and language to populate Heaven Part of what we will do in Heaven is sung to the Lordto.
Revelation 7:9 (CSB): “After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.”
Well, we could keep going but you get the idea. The Bible isn’t silent about the kind of worship (music/singing) that God enjoys.
I just wish that more Christians would spend more time reading their Bibles to discover what He enjoys than to let their Bibles collect dust as they fight over what they enjoy.
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Lord Jesus, You are worthy of my worship. Help me never, ever to make it about me. While worship is something that can and should be very enjoyable for me to engage in, it is ultimately about You. May I regularly offer up worship that is worthy of You.
Matt’s Musings 