TUESDAY: WORSHIP IS A WAY OF LIFE
KEY PASSAGE
'Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God
Or riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.'
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. 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. '
Romans 11:33 - Romans 12:2
DEVOTIONAL
We hear the word worship used in many different ways— in church, in the Bible, and often in regard to music. But what does this word worship actually mean, and what does it have to do with you?
At its core, worship means to sacrifice, show submission, or lower yourself in reverence or respect. Throughout the Bible, we see worship expressed in many forms: offering sacrifices, singing, dancing, declaring God’s Word, speaking truth, bowing down, lying facedown, and more. Yet all of these expressions share one common purpose: To acknowledge God for who He is and what He has done, so that our lives respond in obedience to Him.
Notice Romans 12:1 starts with the word “therefore.” This indicates that we need to look at what the writer says right before it. At the end of Romans 11, Paul acknowledges who God is by describing His character and giving Him honor and praise.
The “therefore” in Romans 12:1 calls for a response to who God is and what He has done: “In view of God’s mercy… this is your spiritual act (or natural response) of worship.” Worship, then, is not just something we say or sing - it is a response to God’s mercy.
Romans 12:2 goes on to say, “Do not conform… but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This describes the life-changing obedience that comes with a true understanding of who God is and how He has forever changed our lives.
CHALLENGE
Take five minutes today to practice the discipline of worship:
Tell God who He is and what He has done for you
Notice your natural response to this. Is it gratitude? Reverence? Joy? Peace? Admiration?
Ask God how He wants you to respond to Him today, then go do it.