Service! , “As He Said.”
I am reminded of the event recorded in the Book of Luke. The Lord had spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food and was hungry. After being tempted by the Devil to turn stones into bread, the Lord responded, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.” Notice that Jesus said every word. We find Satan saying: "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." The Lord Jesus then answered, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
When we read these verses we see that worship is more than just coming to church and singing and listening to the preaching. Worship is serving the Lord and Him only. Some people come to the worship service to see what they can get out of it when it is not about us, but about the Lord. Worship must come from the heart or it is not worship but just going through the motions. The Lord Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 15:8-9, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
When we come with the right heart, seeking to worship the Lord with the proper heart, we will be lifted up as well. As with anything, when we put our hearts into it, the results are so much more rewarding. Worship should be exciting and uplifting to the worshipper, yet at the same time, let us remember the purpose and focus of our worshipping in any service is always the Lord, Jesus Christ.
