MUSIC BLOG 03-06-2025

MUSIC BLOG

March 6, 2025

Worship the Lord, ONLY

Deuteronomy 4: 15-22

¹⁵ You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, ¹⁶ so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, ¹⁷ or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, ¹⁸ or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. ¹⁹ And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. ²⁰ But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.

I’m in a Bible Study that is examining the life of David.  This past week we focused on worship and I can’t really get beyond the topic as we discussed it.  The writer of the lesson was helping us focus on the importance of true worship and our discussion led into what we expect when we walk into a worship service.  Whether I chose my words poorly or whether the question is beyond our normal everyday thinking the answers were astounding, nonetheless. 

Some said they expected to be greeted warmly.  Some expected to see others that they could go a pray with or minister to them.  Other’s said they expected a good sermon or good music.  The conversation went on for several minutes, pretty much the same with everyone until my wife said something to this effect: “I expect to have an encounter with God”  While I loved that answer, everyone else just looked at her and said, “well, of course that.  That’s a given!”

A nagging doubt has remained in my thoughts.  Is a life-changing, action-altering, eternally significant encounter with the almighty God of the Universe really what we expect every week?  Could it possibly be that we really look forward to these other things more and if we encounter God in a significant way then that’s okay too?

I have a sinking feeling that most people view church as a country club where dues are paid, meals provided, friendships assured and there are lots of opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Meeting with God is a plus if it happens, but our main goal is to meet with others. How is that like worship in the Bible? How does that correspond to the worship of Moses, David, Daniel, Elijah, and Isaiah?  How about Jesus’ worship or the early church?  Do you think the early church was worried about meal reservations when they dragged out Ananias and Sapphira? Was anyone arguing about paint color when Stephen was martyred? Was anyone taking reservations to the Holy Land when Phillip encountered the Ethiopian? I don’t think so.

I am very much in favor of the church living life together.  That includes eating, studying, and some entertainment, but those things are not worship.  Worship is Isaiah 6: I saw the LORD! It literally means to throw yourself on the ground before God. There is awe, wonder, mystery, shame, guilt, regret, and forgiveness and praise, and thanksgiving and did I mention WONDER? Worship is for God but He includes us.  What a miracle. Worship is when we the children of God love and adore our Heavenly Father. When we praise Him above all else. Worship is giving everything we have to the God who has given all to us.  Worship is not what we glean and gather from the song service or the sermon.  Worship is a real, vital, true connection with the God of Heaven who for some eternal reason, wants us to know Him.

I know I’m rambling a bit but come on people, we have got to make worship less about us and the things we get and only about giving all of us to God.

Things won’t change with the status quo, Let’s determine to change our attitudes this very week.

Blessings,

Marty