If you’ve been following this series, so far we’ve learned how God works in response to our worship by 1) the experience of His presence, 2) a change of perspective, 3) conviction of sin, and 4) spiritual transformation.
Today I’m going to hit the accelerator pedal and cover the next three! Here we go!
#5 Guidance
It’s obvious by now that true worship involves surrender, and that includes an increased sensitivity to God’s voice and guidance in our lives.
Warren Wiersbe said, “It’s when we worship God that we discover afresh that His thoughts and ways are so far above ours that whatever we do will have to be guided and empowered by Him.”*
It was during a time of worship at a church in Antioch that Barnabas was called to be a missionary.
“While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts.13:2-3).
We should long to know God so intimately that our worship of Him puts us in that place of seeing His ways, hearing His thoughts, and longing to walk in them wherever they go.
We want to be able to hear and respond like Barnabas when God says, “Set apart . . . I have called” you (Acts 13:2). Or like Isaiah when he heard God’s call, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”, and responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:1-8).
We should have our ears tuned to hear anything God might whisper during worship, and that includes times of guidance.
#6 Supplication
Being drawn into a time of supplication is also a way God works in response to our worship. For as we center our focus on Him – seeing Him more clearly and declaring who He is – the result is often that God reveals our own needs in the process.
As David entered prayer in a time of great distress in Psalm 86, he wisely used it as a time to focus on God in worship which put his need in perspective with who God is.
“You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications!” (v.5-6).
And as he declared the glory of God and the perfection of His law, David again responded with a personal appeal:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” ( v. 14 of Psalm 19:1-14).
Our single focus in worship needs to be on our glorious God and not on our long list of requests. However, we need to be quick, like David, any time the Holy Spirit prompts us to respond to the God we’re exalting with a revealed need.
God’s Spirit longs to usher us through our time of worship.
#7 Desire for heaven
Gazing on the Lord during worship also increases our desire for heaven! Because this is just a rehearsal! The link between our present lives on earth and our future in heaven is worship.
Worship is central. Worship is eternal. And the more we worship in the here and now, the more we long for that non-ceasing worship service!
“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple” (v.4 of Psalm 27:1-4).
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (v.6 of Psalm 23:1-6).
It’s completely unimaginable!
These first 7 points are results of the inner work of the Spirit of God in our lives in response to our faithful, diligent worship. It’s an incredible picture of who He is – of His incredible love for us and His amazing grace towards us!
Next week, we’ll look at the final four on the list with evidence of how these inner workings can result in more outward effects – including in the church. Don’t miss it!
*Warren W. Wiersbe, Real Worship (Baker Books, 2000), p.15
**Sections of this post is an excerpt from my book, Worship and the Word. If you want to learn more about Worship and the Word or where to buy it, this is where you go to do that!
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