What is worship? According to Webster it is “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.” We may demonstrate worship in many ways. We know from experience that what we love most, desire most and value most is that to which we give most of our attention, thought, time, money and energy. The 1st and 2nd Commandments say that we are to put God first in our worship and that nothing should be placed ahead of Him. We are not to bow down or worship anything except God. Yet, we are continually distracted by worldly desires, hopes and dreams. Satan is vying for our worship. When he initiated a rebellion against God with plans to enthrone himself on the holy mountain, God gave him the boot, along with his sympathizers—1/3 of the angels. Satan wants our worship. Silly, isn’t it? I mean we consider those who identify themselves as Satan worshipers to be on the fringe, out there, a few bricks shy of a load, deceived and lost. We would never choose to worship or serve the devil. However, when we place anything before God, Satan has accomplished his goal. No, we aren’t bowing before him, but we are bowing to other gods and that’s a win for him.

Scripture
Ez 36:26; Jn 4:23-24; Is 14:13-14; Ex 20:3-5; Lk 19:39-40; Ro 12:1; Re 4:8-11

Verse
“I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart.” (Ez 36:26). Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (Jn 4:23-24) “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord, am a jealous God,…” (Ex 20:3-5) “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Lk 19:40)

Thought
Why is worship such a struggle? Because there’s a war for your worship. You were created by God to have a relationship with Him. You were created for worship and you have a desire to worship. But what draws you away from God and takes priority over Him in your life? Consider that thing or person that you spend more time thinking about, more money on, give your heart to, and allow to consume you. Is it yourself or your family/children? Is it money, things, position or power? Is it comfort? If your worship is waning, it’s time to wake up. If you go to church for the purpose of getting something, you are missing the point! If you feel there is nothing for you in the music or the message, you have it all wrong. You aren’t there to take in, you are there to give, to give worship to God who is the audience of ONE! All that you do is worship and God is the recipient. He deserves your best. When you worship with all your heart you get something, you get a lot, but you worship because He is worthy, holy, deserving of all praise, glory and honor, not because you will get something. There are two things you should know. First, whether or not you worship, worship happens. Jesus said in Luke 19 that the very stones will cry out if we don’t praise him. And secondly, you will stand before God’s throne one day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Ask God to melt your heart of stone and make it obedient to him. Now is the time to worship!

Questions
What competes for your worship? How do you process the idea that God is a jealous God? When you attend church do you go to get or give? Do you recognize that you are a worship participant, standing before God, in all that you do? How might this perspective change the way you drive, or grocery shop, or work?

Response
Determine that each day is an opportunity to worship God by honoring him in action, word and deed.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven, soften my stony heart and make my life an offering of worship to you. In all that I do, may I bring praise to Your name. Let Your praise be continually in my heart and on my lips. In Jesus Holy Name I pray, amen.