What Do You Think?

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Genesis 24:26-27: The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD,  saying “Praised be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love for my master! The LORD has led me to the house of my master’s relatives!”

What do you think? What is this couple of verses telling us about worship? Is it telling us that we worship when things are going well? After all, the servant of Abraham "got what he wanted" and that was a wife for Isaac. We certainly celebrate when God provides, especially when it's something that we "want."

At the same time, worship is not just praising God for what He has done. Worship is also acknowledging God for what He has done. Look at the body language. "Bowed his head and worshiped the LORD" doesn't quite go deep enough. Let's try, "put his chin to his chest and then fell to the ground with arms outstretch and face to the ground." Worship is not about thanking God for what He gave us only. It is also about deep devotion and awe and reverence and humility when one recognizes the work of God.

And finally, worship is receiving the blessings that come from the work of God. What do you think? Well, let's think about it. The servant of Abraham received the blessings of God in the person of Rebekah. When we worship, we receive the blessings of God which are the forgiveness of our sins, the cleansing from all unrighteousness, along with the new life filled with grace that bows the head and drops to the floor in awe, respect, humility, and joy for all of what God did for us through Jesus Christ. That's what worship is. What do you think? Dear God, lead us to worship you more fully, receiving all with which you bless us.