The ABC’s of WORSHIP August 2019
Reference (John 4: 7– 24 (NKJV)
7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband. “Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
To worship: Idolize, place on a pedestal, revere, extremely adore.
Worship is sometimes made complicated by manmade parameters, but it is as simple as A-B-C. We transition from simply observing the surroundings to transferring and associating impulses and responses at an early age. In order to become readers, we were taught the alphabet by association, memorization, phonics, and sequence. Worship also has simple basic guidelines. After acknowledging the existence and importance of God, we conclude that there is the necessity to A: Access His attention. Worship of God is directed to the Almighty, who gave us an innate vacuum, that can only be filled with Him. We therefore must access the code (praise) that ushers us into the throne room where we get His attention.
In Esther’s days, the scepter had to be extended as a sign of admittance to speak with the king (Esther 5: 1-3). When the king saw her, she won his favor. Although she was uninvited to see the king, she entered boldly, but her demeanor was of such that without her verbalizing anything, the king’s heart was attentive to her. He told her that her request was granted abundantly, before she even made the request.
Jesus’ attention was caught on an occasion in Simon’s house. In Matthew 26: 6-10, it was not the cost of the oil in the alabaster box. It was the posture of Mary’s heart that drew her to His feet in true humility. She made no reference to her sacrifice to purchase the oil, nor to the traditions that she was breaking. She just knew that she had to get His attention so that she could fulfill the assignment she had been given. The ointment ran from His head to His feet,thus it affected His entire being.
Mary disregarded the negative vibes. That speaks to the fervency of worship. In doing what she could, she used her own resources so that the focus would be on Jesus. She didn’t ask for a basin from Simon, the owner of the house. Nor did she ask for a towel because there was an urgency in her action.
In Mary’s desperation to get Jesus’ attention, she made serious decisions. Her mission was to prepare Him for His highest honor. Could it be that Jesus observes our goal when we approach Him? Even when the Enemy suggests that our worship brings no result, worship is never a waste. It always results in Jesus’ intervention and defense for us. Some may even say, “What kind of God allows such hardships when you serve Him faithfully?” That is just a distraction to detour us away from our determination. People’s opinion really does not matter.
A right attitude, composure, and expectations capture Jesus’ attention. In our seeking HIS awareness, people and surroundings become insignificant. All that matters is that we touch God’s heart. Flowery language, volume, impressive gestures, people’s validation are all unimportant to us when our goal is to affect Him.
Secondly, B– Bring a Sacrifice. Our aim is what prompts God to accept our sacrifice. Abraham was asked to present his son, who was a promise fulfilled, after twenty-five years of waiting (Genesis 22:12). That was a difficult sacrifice. Without regard to the price he thought that he was about to pay, Abraham told his servants that he was going to worship. His willingness and obedience brought unexpected results. God provided the sacrifice in a place where it was uncharacteristic to find a ram. Jesus always does the unpredictable.
Mary’s sacrifice cost her much, but what it produced was worthwhile, even today. What an impact Jesus’s response must have had in that house, city, province, nation! What are we willing to surrender? It may be our : own understanding (Proverbs 3: 5); stubborn will (Luke 22: 42) ; praise, when our situation dictates anxiety (Philippians 4: 6) ; time (Ephesians 5: 15, 16) ; hurt, substituted for worship (Job 1: 14- 20). Without our counting the cost, it becomes a true sacrifice.
Job was in the throes of despair but despite his tears, he worshipped and blessed the Lord’s name. It was then that he resolved that God controls everything. He concluded that it would be foolish of him to blame God. Instead, he declared the holiness of God and that his appointed times were in God’s hands. Job’s hope was subsequently challenged, but he was convinced that change was appointed for him. (Job 14:14)
It is only during a sacrificial surrender that we can make declarations that are pleasing to God. With that, we remember Hannah and Elkanah who left their city, yearly, to go to the Temple and worship. Elkanah had self-justifiable reasons to be bitter with the Lord because it was, He, who had closed Hannah’s womb. Yet, Elkanah went to worship, customarily, regardless of the fact that Hannah was the laughingstock. Can we see her losing weight as she worried and refused to eat or be comforted?
In time, Elkanah’s consoling words, changed her appetite and she ate and drank although her real hunger was still unsatisfied. Her worship caused her to pour out her soul before The Lord (verse 15). Her vow was birthed out of grief and great problems, yet inwardly, she believed that God would honor the prophecy of the priest, Eli. She would sacrifice her expected son to the Lord’s service. In order to make such a vow, she must have had unshakeable faith in God’s ability. Probably, it would cost her emotional mood swings to not see her son, except, annually, but the sacrifice was worth the outcome. In faith, she regained her joy, and enthusiasm via worship.
Take note that Hannah demonstrated her confidence in God before she even became pregnant. When Samuel was born, she honored her promise by taking him to live with the priest. During the entire time that she nursed him, her thoughts may have been on the fact that when he was weaned, he would no longer be under her watchful eyes. She would not recant, as painful as it must have been, to send her young child out of the city (I Samuel 1:11). Again, she prayed, rejoicing in the holiness of The Rock of her Salvation. Samuel was sanctified for God’s service and in that office, he heard God’s voice, anointed kings and delivered God’s messages. That was a bold offering. This takes us to C– Communicate with God.
Communication is a two-way exchange. What might have been the outcome if the Samaritan woman, Esther, and Hannah said nothing? The Samaritan woman limited worship to a particular place. Jesus admonished her to discard her doctrinal discourse and accept the fact that true worshippers disregard the traditions of men. In the absence of the disciples, Jesus grasped the opportunity to teach her a valuable lesson. Communication with Jesus channels our thoughts. He allows us to explore necessary truths that reveal Himself. A sense of urgency causes us to speak with Him, wait before Him, and hear Him speak to us. Then we get to know Him and realize that He deserves our adoration, regardless of our location.
When we eliminate distractions, we become teachable and can absorb what Holy Spirit wants to impart. Her communication led her to discernment. She recognized that Jesus was more than a prophet. Why else would she speak of who worshipped and where they worshipped? The conversation evolved from getting water to how to worship. The exchange between the woman and Jesus, enlightened us to many things that otherwise we might not have known: to receive discrimination was her norm; she had more than a physical thirst; she was religious; she practiced an adulterous lifestyle.
Let us recall those who were present in Simon, the leper’s house, where Mary anointed Jesus. There were no true worshippers there. Yet, that did not deter her. Can we worship regardless of naysayers? Yes, we can! If Jesus has our undivided attention we can adore, exalt, revere, and honor Him whenever…. that includes at home with an audience of One (God). When Jesus paid the price, the veil of the temple was torn and now Holy Spirit grants us entry at any time, day or night. God, who is Spirit requires our spirit to address Him.
Once we learn the alphabet, we use them to read, write and expand our vocabulary. That embodies communication. Now we can use the ABC’s of Worship to:
A-Access God’s attention
B- Bring an acceptable Sacrifice
C– Communicate with God
Dr. O. A. James
REFLECTION:
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Why is worship so important to both God and us?