The Heart of Worship during challenging times!

When facing tragedy, we must prioritize our concentration! Our witness as believers becomes lackluster when we become preoccupied with self.

When captivated with God, we find that looking at ourselves diminishes in the shadow of His glory. The preoccupation with self-fades immeasurably in the presence of the Holy.

We become unaware of any goodness within ourselves, or any “self”– esteem.   Rather, we come to realize that we are deserving of death and hell, and that our only hope is found in the blood of the Lamb. Our focus must always become centered upon God, and God alone. Any goodness, or righteousness we may have comes from Messiah Himself.  In other words, Messiah’s righteousness is “imputed” (credited) to those who are His sheep, to those who believe (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In the context of worship, as seen in many churches, the emphasis has changed to focus on self, “it’s all about me.”  Or, “It’s about the band playing on stage, or the programs of feeling good about myself.”

Authentic worship has always been about God, about His Messiah, about seeking His face, and was never about the worshipper, or how the worshipper “feels.” 

The celebrant hovers between knowing that they are clean through the blood of the Lamb, and humbled by understanding that they deserve only banishment from a Holy God.

Who may Ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3, 4).

When raising hands before God, one is saying with humility and reverence, “Lord, look at my hands and see if there is any flaw, or sin, or anything that is not pleasing to you.  I open my heart, my whole being, my soul, my life, and my actions before you.  Is my worship acceptable to you?”

A pure heart refers to our will being submissive to God’s will in all matters.  It involves humility, and a right attitude before God.  Going to the House of the Lord is a balance between, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD’” (Psalm 122:1), and “Woe is me” (Isaiah 6:5)!

May we come back, as the song says, to the “heart of worship.”

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus

• Source: Musixmatch, Songwriters: Matthew James Redman, The Heart of Worship lyrics © Thank You Music Ltd.

 When our focus is redirected, we may find ourselves in a compelling position to effectively be “salt and light” in a very dark and frightening world.

Shalom and Blessings,

Dr. Jeff