They even gave it a name: Nehushtan!

Worshiping the Lord is a reverential gesture of commitment, surrender and renewal but today the purpose seems to have changed. Even things that has a good purpose can become an idol. The bronze serpent lifted by Moses is a great example. It symbolized God's grace and mercy. Hundreds of years later Hezekiah had to destroy it because it was now being worshipped! They even gave it a name: Nehushtan! “He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for until then the Israelites were burning incense to it. It was called Nehushtan.” 2 Kings 18:4 CSB.

“Worship” these days is often more pagan than Christian. People relate to the worship bands and worship leader than God – the very object of worship. It is no longer about reverent obedience to the Sovereign God of Scripture, but about the pagan practice of conjuring up intense feelings for some man-made god or deity. An expectation is created that the more we surrender to the intense, manipulated emotions generated by some band, song, or trendy “worship leader,” the more God will be present. It has become the new idolatry, by equating manipulated feelings with God Himself. It is an addictive distraction from who God is, and how He wants to dwell among us and in us as the Sovereign Lord over all creation. The definition of true worship as stated in Romans 12:1 has become just inspirational thought than true surrender. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”.

Worship has become big business, with mega churches striking mega recording deals … Unfortunately, it will continue to thrive. Jim Right states, “because just like the pagans, people still want a God who appeals to their carnality and is easy to manipulate.”.  If the worship is not transforming your heart creating a change from within, then you are disconnected. Churches and worship bands today try to invoke intense emotions then call it a true encounter with God. No doubt, true encounter with God will invoke intense emotions but if it is not associated with a clean and pure heart then it is a fleshy manipulation posing as “worship.”

When “church” and “worship” are about stirring up carnal feelings, God is not there. That thing you feel is not about God but more about you. Today, the Church buildings are monumental and expensive, pews upon pews of spectators seated, watching staged weekly performances are all worship band centric, showcasing their "gifting" and "ministry."  When Abraham took his son to worship, he meant sacrifice as worship “….the boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” Genesis 22:5. The first time the word worship is used in the Bible. Worship requires a sacrifice, giving up those tucked up desires or acknowledging those unintentional sins. Can we surrender to God and commit ourselves to use our discretion to stay away from anything that is so close, yet only a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5).

 

 

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How Worship is understood and misunderstood in our times?

Worshiping the Lord is one of the most satisfying gesture expressed unto the Lord. All creation and the highest heaven worship the Lord in reverence. Today we notice worship is skewed to suit the church denomination, taste of people, age group and the style of music. Before I could take this further, I wanted to draw your attention to the first place in the history of Bible where worship is mentioned.

We are familiar with the story of Abraham taking his son Isaac to the land of Moriah in obedience to God's command to offer his son as a sacrifice. And just before Abraham and his son could leave behind the servants and climb up to the mountain in Moriah Abraham asks the servants to leave them for a while, "Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” Genesis 22:5 CSB. Abraham meant sacrifice to worship unto the Lord. Apostle Paul is so precise when he profoundly explains the same concept of worship in the book of Romans 12:1 "Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.".Romans 12:1 CSB.

True worship is one hundred percent commitment of your body, mind and soul. Unfortunately, today worship in most cases is limited to songs, great music and so-called worship leader's emotional status. If you carefully analyze, worship is also confined nowadays to 'feel good factors'. Worshiping silently is criticized and condemned by the charismatic Churches at the same time worship style of charismatic Churches are critically condemned by mainline Churches.

In recent decades, ambient sounds have become omnipresent in church gatherings. Meetings start with a synth swell and every song after that is connected to the next with musical glue. Synth pads play softly behind prayer, Scripture readings, song intros, communion and, in some cases, the preaching. But while music and the Holy Spirit’s presence can be related, they’re not the same thing. That’s why David’s lyre comforted Saul at one point and on another occasion led him to try to pin David to the wall with his spear (1 Sam. 18:10-11). Music is a means. God is the source. God often uses physical means to do his work. But when we start to view a means of grace as a “need” for worship, it can subtly take on the characteristics of a mediator (1 Tim. 2:5).

Harold Best warns, “Christian musicians must be particularly cautious. They can create the impression that God is more present when music is being made than when it is not; that worship is more possible with music than without it; and that God might possibly depend on its presence before appearing.” (p. 153). Let us be careful to balance at the same time worship the Lord in spirit and truth. Listen to the short video by R Stanley which clearly explains what worship is in its true sense and what it is not as mostly understood by us.

Blessings.