Date: Sunday, 17th September, 2023
Text: John 4:23-24
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
It is one thing to worship God; it is another thing to worship Him acceptably. In John 4:24, our Lord Jesus Christ said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
True worship involves worshipping God “in spirit”. Such worship must originate from within; a heartfelt, sincere praise motivated by our love for God and gratitude for whom He is and for what He has done.
To worship God “in truth” you must know the Truth. Jesus Christ is the Way, Truth and Life. John 14:6. Only those who have accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ can worship Him in truth.
Concerning false worship, the Lord said. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9. Such praise is rejected by the God of Heaven.
There are, at least seven Hebrew words that demonstrates correct dimensions or ways to worship God as spelt out in the Holy Scriptures. We will examine them in the next few days.
Firstly, Halal is the Hebrew word for crazy exuberant praise. It involves praising and celebrating God with reckless abandon. In 2 Samuel 6, King David danced before the Lord with all his might in the midst of his subjects and servants. His exuberant worship put his wife, Michal, in contempt.
Secondly, Shabach in Hebrew means to shout God’s praise loudly from within one’s innermost being. Psalm 47:1 says, “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.”
Tehillah is a third Hebrew word which suggests a song of praise, or a new, spontaneous song. It means to sing unrehearsed, unplanned praises to the Lord. Psalm 22:3 says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises (Tehillah) of Israel.
Prophetic Nugget: Receive grace to worship God in truth and in Spirit in Jesus name.