Some Reasons to Worship.
By nature, we are worshipers. In the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, Jesus said:
“Woman, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:21–24)
With Jesus’ words in mind, my email message over the next couple of weeks will focus on some reasons to make worship an important part of life. Each week I want to provide three reasons to make worship a priority, and include a couple biblical references for further study and reflection. Of course, these reasons and references are more like reminders, rather than deep, detailed discussions.
So here we go…
Reason #1: Worship welcomes the presence of the Lord, Exodus 20:24.
Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and
fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I
cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.
Reason #2: Worship connects me to God, Colossians 3:15–17.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Reason #3: Worship reminds me of my blessings in Christ, Psalm 103:2, 3.
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits —
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your
life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies
your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the
eagle’s.
I know it’s always easier to worship when things are good, but whether your week has been difficult or good, I encourage you to draw close to the Lord, spend some time in worship and remember his great love and salvation.
