Worship unto God should be a lifestyle. We worship Him with our whole life, body, soul and spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:23). As Christ lives in us, and we in Him, we are intricately woven together in one union. Therefore, our every move becomes glory to Him. He becomes the life in us.
Romans 12:1-2 says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The first time the word ‘worship’ appears in the Bible is in Genesis 22:5. Genesis 22 is a story about how God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
God tested Abraham and asked him to offer his only son, whom he loved, as a burnt offering to Him.
HIS ONLY SON, WHOM HE LOVES, TO BE A BURNT OFFERING!
Abraham, however, did not debate or question God’s instruction. Even though God provided little information about the sacrifice’s details, Abraham obeyed God.
The following day Abraham prepared for the journey. He saddled up his donkey, split the wood, took two of his men, and went to Moriah. The sacrifice: his son.
On the third day of their journey, Abraham saw the exact place where God wished him to make His sacrifice. Can you imagine the anguish that Abraham must have experienced for three whole days? The Bible doesn’t tell us about Abraham’s state of mind, nor are there any records of conversations or disputes between Abraham and God during this time.
Abraham says to his men in Genesis 22:5, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship, and then we will come back to you.” (New International Version (NIV))
Notice that Abraham said that we will WORSHIP, and then WE will return to you. Now, Abraham could have said, “I am going to sacrifice my son, and only I will return” or “Kiss my son goodbye as God wants me to offer him on the altar”. But Abraham’s trust and faith in God are spoken out. What he feared in his heart stayed in his heart. He knew that whatever the outcome would be; it would be as worship to God.
Genesis 22:6-14 (NIV) says:
6 “Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Isaac asked.
8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up, and there in a thicket, he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord Will Provide’. And to this day, it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided.”
How Can We Apply This Sacrificial Act Of Worship To Our Daily Lives?
We do not need to sacrifice burnt offerings to prove our love and worship unto God. Jesus laid down His life for us; He became the ultimate sacrifice. Our daily activities should be worship unto God.
Here are 8 ways you can begin:
- When times get tough, do not question God. Trust that He will see you through these challenging times.
- Speak Faith. Death and life lie in the power of your tongue. Do not add further negativity to your already grim situation. Do not speak of the fear that lurks in your heart and mind; instead, pray and commit them to God. Read Proverbs 18:21.
- Hold onto God. Sometimes it may feel like the altar is on fire already, and God hasn’t provided your answer. Keep trusting. The Lord will provide.
- Praise and worship God even when it hurts. Do not stop loving Him. Lift a song even when it hurts like hell. This worship becomes your sacrifice.
- Fear God; it is the beginning of all wisdom. Read Proverbs 9:10.
- Your body houses God’s presence, so what you speak and do should be holy and pleasing unto God. This act is your true worship.
- Do not follow the crowds because they appear ‘cool’ and popular; if people are not living up to God’s word, there is no need to do as they do. Love them, be friends with them, but do not be influenced by their wrongdoings.
- Read the word of God. Feed and renew your minds with His word. It has your answers. What you populate your mind with will eventually be displayed in your actions. Improve on the way you do life and study His word.
What Are The Benefits Of Living A Life Of Worship?
15 “The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.’”
- Obedience leads to blessing. God will bless you and your children and their children. (Further read Deuteronomy 28 Blessings for the Obedience).
- Your enemies will see Christ in you. They will not have a hold on you any further.
So lay down your ‘Isaac’, lay down everything that you may love more than God, lay it at the altar. Bow down before Him and let your heart worship Him in spirit and in truth.