What does the Lord require of us in worship?
He is saying ‘Give me your heart, that is your mind soul and spirit, for bringing your heart allows for change. When you worship, humbly bringing your gifts to my feet, let us speak with each other and hear each other. Do not withhold your worship of Me.
Come into my presence no matter what is happening in your environment. Angels
are commanded to adore me for they see me face to face. Your place is as part of
that crowd of witnesses. Tell me of my great deeds, yes, for that is praise and what
you declare with your mouth in my presence is important.
I require your attention, but not just for a few hours. Switching off from listening to
me ‘for a rest’ is not the worship that I desire. You have not yet been consumed by
me; you have only submitted to me. Your humble worship and your outright praise of
me are bringing forwards a breakthrough in how you speak with one another.
So, no more withholding your worship because it is not like others or their outward
appearance.
As your heart grows before me, allow me to speak, convict and comfort. Choose my
heart priorities, then change will happen. I say you will complement one another
without jealousy, ask for help without comparison, seeking the best for others in
areas when you still lack. This breaking of you will allow Holy Spirit activity to flourish
through you to serve the world. Such is worship.’
Psalm 96:9 (NIVUK)
Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness. Tremble before him all the earth.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.