June 5: “Worship Is Costly”

5 Minute Read

Today’s Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 23:24–24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23

Today’s Bible Verse(s):

2 Samuel 24:24 (NLT): “But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.’ So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.”

Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):

The principle spoken in the verse I have chosen for today is transferable. That means that it applies to us today, too.

The story in which these words were uttered involves a sin. The people of Israel and their king had done things that brought God’s discipline upon them. As the punishment came to an end, King David wanted to worship his God by offering a sacrifice. The man who owned the property where David wanted to build the alter offered to give everything to David. But, the king didn’t want to worship his God with stuff that was given to him. He wanted his worship to be something that “cost (him)” something.

We are a narcissistic bunch, aren’t we? Our world revolves around ourselves. And our worship isn’t immune to this mindset. We want to worship God in our own way, and we ultimately want it to satisfy us. Unfortunately, we often care so little whether or not God is enjoying our worship.

Essentially, instead of worship costing us something, we actually want it to reward us. If it doesn’t reward us with the good feeling we expect, we don’t participate or even actively resist it.

Now, understand this: Worship is intended to be satisfying to the worshiper. It is supposed to be enjoyable, but its ultimate aim is not self-centered. It is supposed to be God-centered. And the greatest way that we can demonstrate God’s worth in worship is not by saying, “What can worship do for me?” but “What can I give to make my worship enjoyable to God?”

It should cost us something.

What should it cost us? What can we give to our God that He doesn’t already have?

Ourselves!

Worship that is pleasing to God is worship in which we offer up our lives. We offer up the moments of our days. We offer up everything that we claim as our own. And we do this as we submit to God’s authority over our life, giving Him ‘permission’ to do with us as He pleases.

Are you willing to worship God in a way that costs you something? Are you prepared to surrender yourself to the Lord’s will anew? If not, you’re just in a song service. It’s definitely not worship.

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.