Sometimes our life is moving so quickly that even those of us who have been believers a long time forget the real meaning of the basic spiritual disciplines. How long has it been since you contemplated all the facets of a true prayer time where you not only talked to God but also listened? What about Bible study? Do you meditate on the Word or just read it to check a box? Sometimes we take for granted the basics of our Christian faith and forget the depth and power they can bring into our lives through the Holy Spirit.
For example, what do you think when you hear the word “worship”? Many of us may immediately think of the music before the sermon. Or we may be enamored with the newest musical groups and composers and make sure that we attend their concerts. We may even think we have worshiped just by going to the concert. Music certainly can prepare us to hear from the Lord. Many times while singing, I have been brought to tears contemplating all that God has done for me. However, I have realized that it is not just the singing and raising of my hands that is worship—it is the fact that the music has made me contemplate who Jesus really is and what He has done for me personally. When that realization comes over me, I worship.
In Scripture, we see examples of true worship and why it occurs. In Isaiah 6:1-7, Isaiah sees God in a vision. Verses 4-5 express Isaiah’s reaction in detail:
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
When Isaiah saw the holiness of God, he immediately realized his own sinfulness and was humbled. He worshiped a holy God.
In Revelation 5:6-14, John shares with us the reaction of all of heaven when they realize they are seeing Jesus, the Lamb of God. Verses 13-14 describe the scene:
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
You may say, “Well, those are visions from God. Of course they fell down and worshipped. I would, too!” Let’s look at what the Gospel of Luke tells us about some fishermen. In Luke 5:1-11, the writer says that three or four fishermen who had been out fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee had caught nothing. They pulled their boats onto the shore and began washing their nets while Jesus taught nearby. After teaching the crowd, Jesus told Simon to push the boat into the deep water and cast his nets again. Reluctantly, Simon obeyed. Lo and behold, the nets were so full Simon had to ask his friends for help to pull them in. The two boats almost sank because of the number of fish. What was Simon’s reaction? Verses 8-10 tell us:
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.”
Each time there is a realization of who Jesus is, worship follows. The disciples were so moved they left everything to follow Him. Worship is total surrender to Christ the King, realization of who He really is, and following Him at all costs.
Take some time and contemplate what you believe about worship. Are you chasing worship, or are you chasing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? When we truly see Him, worship will follow.
