The book of Micah (I have a friend who has his life verse here) is truly about worship. Most of us think we know, or have a good idea of, what worship is all about. While we may know what we like, I want us to explore a question. Is worship about what WE like or about God? I hope you think this is a valid question, because if you do, we have a good starting point. And, I will add another question. Do we DO worship, GET worship, or GIVE worship?
Micah's 5 parts of worship teach us something we might have missed in how worship has evolved in the Church (or might I suggest, devolved?). Here goes:
1. Heart - In Micah's world, the church DID worship. Sacrifices, rituals, and extravagance (Micah 6:6-7) were the earmarks of worship. This carried through to Jesus' time as Jesus desired heart vs extravagance. Our song, Heart of Worship, is all about focusing on entering the presence of God with an open heart, to be filled by God.
2. Living Sacrifice - Micah railed against external worship exemplified in burnt offerings, thousands of rams, and rivers of oil. The church and its leaders had become focused on worship as a revenue stream. I wonder if the modern practice of "giving the people what they want" is any different? I was advised (in a worship seminar) to ditch practices like prayer requests, reciting of creeds, and ritual, to allow more time for manipulative methods to "bring people into the feeling of worship." True worship, just like love, is not a feeling. It is giving up time, heart, and control to God ... not human manipulation.
3. Life Outside The Church - Worship doesn't just happen in Sunday morning services. It is followed and preceded by God's requirements ... do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). These things happen while living life.
4. Humility - Humility toward God and other people is an outward acts of worship that proceed from an inward attitude. Micah 7:7 defines this as the prophet says, "But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation." Micah is led by God ... not leading God where he desires to go.
5. Response - In March, our congregation sponsored a music program called "A Lenten Response." I loved this title, because it places worship in the proper place ... as a response to a holy, living, and loving God. "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity ... He delights in steadfast love (Micah 7:18-19)!" God is faithful ... God is all suffiucient ... God is the only one worthy of our worship.
In the song, Light of the World (We The Kingdom), one line describes worship this way ... "Fall down before Him, come and adore Him, sing hallelujah, to the light of the world." Do we do this, or do we select what we like and do what is comfortable? Or, do we enter His gates with praise and thanksgiving, giving worship to the only one worthy of our praise?
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