Should I Accept This?

YOU BRING THE STOLEN, THE LAME, AND THE SICK AS AN OFFERING! SHOULD I ACCEPT THIS FROM YOUR HAND?" SAYS THE LORD. Malachi 1.13.

There is a lot of talk and writing about ‘worship’ in our midst today! Everyone is concerned about the ‘right kind of worship’. The ‘big question’ about worship in our generation is, ‘How should we worship?’ Should we continue singing old hymns with their ‘slow and dead beat’ which our forefathers cherished? Or should we go along with the clapping and shouting which excites the in-generation of today? Or do we go wild and dance across the floor in some kind of trance?

The worship of God may vary from age to age according to the culture and trend of the in-generation. It would be difficult for the older generation to stick on for long to what they are used to and relish much. The reason for this is simple - while the fathers are aging and dying out, their children and grandchildren are filling our churches. Their tastes and desires will overtake the Church. Happy are those who learn to adjust and accommodate the past and the present!

The vital issue in this great quest for ‘the perfect worship’ that has escaped the concern of both the young and the old is “What has God to say about our worship?” You must understand and acknowledge that worship is ‘God-ward’ – towards God! God has spoken through His Son Jesus Christ about “how you should worship Him.” He told a curious woman of Samaria who argued with Him about true worship, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks".

Dear fellow-believer, whether you sit sluggish or jump up and down while worshipping God, what God is concerned about is your heart and spirit! Is your heart, soul, mind and strength in your worship? Do you prepare yourself in your spirit to move with the Holy Spirit as He endeavours to lead you in worship? Looking at the large crowd that carelessly walks into our churches anything from 5 to 50 minutes after the worship has commenced, one would wonder (even God would) – why these people are arguing and fighting over the ‘right kind of worship’?.

To add insult to injury to God, there is such a pitiable lack in the quality of our worship! Do you want to know what God thought about the quality of worship of His people Israel of old? Hear the LORD’S complaint, “you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?" What about us? You don’t bring animals for sacrifice today. But you come unprepared, shabbily or skimpily dressed, in shorts and slippers, empty-handed, even without your Bible! Whoever prepares the tithes beforehand to offer to God? Everything must be done for you by the ‘cheering song leaders, the lively and witty emcee and the spirited preacher!’

Dear friend, God says, “It is time to make worship your personal responsibility”. Think of how you prepare your body, soul and spirit before you come into the sanctuary of God. Do you bring anything to God? How much do you offer and how? What do you do during worship? How do you listen to God speaking, and what is your response?

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to consider how I worship You. Help me to prepare myself to worship You in truth and spirit from now on so that it will be acceptable to You! Amen.