We’ve decided to leave Houston a day early in order to escape the approaching winter storm. We know it will probably add up to little more than really cold weather, but the thought of combining Texas and Louisiana drivers with potentially icy conditions is sending us scurrying for the shelter of home.
Besides, the vacation has had it’s intended results: a few days in a different environment, a refreshing and a gradually growing gratitude that our life is our life. Nothing against Houston; this phenomena occurs any place we visit and we have been blessed to visit many spots. At first there is a small touch of envy at the different life style you are plunged into; but eventually comes the realization that the life we have is pretty great.
Oswald Chamber (henceforth OC – yes, after 5 days of devotionals I feel I’ve reached the level of familiarity with Oswald that I can abbreviate his name) gives us a different definition of Worship today:
Worship is giving God the best that He has given you.
This, for me, is a new definition of worship. Worship in the dictionary is
“The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.” That’s pretty good.
“The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.” That’s pretty good.
I use to say, “Worship is recognizing who God is and who we are.” Obviously I think that’s pretty good, because I used to say it.
Here’s some pretty good thoughts I goggled:
To worship genuinely is to know God. To know God genuinely is to be in a king/subject relationship with Him. In worship we acknowledge God’s kingship in our lives and His right to rule over us. Worship is for God’s benefit. He has the center stage. During worship we yield ourselves to God’s rule and dominion. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 gives us a biblical description and correct focus of worship:
Praise be to you, 0 Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to ever lasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for every thing in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
All pretty good; but I believe OC hits the nail on the head. Worship is giving God the best that He has given you. I like this because it certainly fits into the My Utmost for His Highest (Now MUFHH, or just Utmost) and the Extraordinary (no abbreviation necessary) themes.
I also like it because it fits in with what’s going on with me now. Just finishing up our trip I have been through a brief re-evaluation of what He has given me. It is certainly great. We know every good thing comes from Him and even every thing (good and bad) comes only if He allows it. It is wise to carefully consider just how good He’s been to us. Such an evaluation leads to worship as I used to call it… recognizing who He is and who we are… and to worship as OC and I now call it… giving God the best that He has given you. Because it isn’t enough just to recognize the truth, it’s necessary to act on it. We must do more than recognize who He is and Who we are, we must respond to it, by giving it back.
One of the lessons of the just passed Christmas season is the blessedness of giving over receiving. “If you hoard a thing for yourself, it will turn into spiritual dry rot, as the manna did when it was hoarded.” More good words from OC.
Really consider how good He’s been to you. Understand hoarding it is fatal. Offer it back to Him. Join me with Houston in my rear view mirror and “Let’s worship and be blessed.”
Nick
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