Sometimes things in life get in the way of us worshipping God.
Our church in New York City is just off the busy and bustling Times Square frequented by nearly every tourist who visits the city. Sometimes getting to church can be a challenge. Apart from having to weave one’s way through the throngs of people, families and groups who are mesmerized by the many bright, flashing digital displays there are other issues that occur too frequently.
Rain! The odd spot or two is fine but when it’s bucketing down, getting to church takes determination when one has to jump over puddles, avoid getting splashed by passing cars, not to mention sitting through the service with wet legs all because an umbrella inadequately covers you.
Closed subway station! We never know if our subway station will be sealed off on a Sunday morning with yellow tape across the steps.Then the temptation is to turn around and go back home rather than walk another ten minutes to the next station.
A late train, the NYC half marathon… I’m sure you have your own challenges getting to church to worship.
When we do arrive, we can be fighting feelings of frustration, annoyance or apathy. It takes effort to switch one’s mind to worship.
Sometimes reminders of the importance of worship can help us persevere. I found four reasons in the story of Jacob when God instructed Jacob to go to Bethel and to build an altar there—in other words, to worship him.
Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau” (Genesis 35:1).
- God wants us to worship him
His desire to be worshipped is not because he is self-seeking but because worship is good for us. It helps direct our attention and our hearts to his goodness and glory.
It was good for Jacob to worship God at Bethel because Bethel was a special place to Jacob and to God. Bethel was where God made a promise to Jacob.
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).
Bethel was where Jacob made a vow to God.
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house” (Genesis 28:20-22).
- Worship helps us remember God’s goodness
If God kept Jacob safe, provided for him and brought him back to that exact place and to the home he had left, then Jacob would be fully committed to God.
I imagine that Jacob had goosebumps when he stood in Bethel remembering how God kept his promise.
Worship reminded Jacob about God’s promise. And worship reminded Jacob about his vow to God. Jacob worshiped because he recognized what God had done for him.
Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone” (Genesis 35:3).
Worshipping God is an opportunity for us to remember what he has done for us. And worship is a good response to what God has done for us.
- Worship is an outward expression of our faith in God
And as Jacob came to worship, he brought his people with him. And quite often we do the same—taking our families with us to worship, or inviting others to join us at church.
Worship is an opportunity to show others that God is worth worshipping because he is faithful and trustworthy.
- Worship is an opportunity for renewal
Jacob and all the people prepared themselves to worship.
So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes (Genesis 35:2).
They got rid of the idols, all those things they looked to for support and help, more than coming to God.
Jacob felt the need for renewal.
We can use worship as an opportunity to come to God and ask him to refresh us, to start afresh, to ask for forgiveness, to be refilled with God’s Spirit, to prepare ourselves for what is ahead.
God desires our worship. God deserves our worship. God delights in our worship.
We don’t have to be in a church to worship God. Use the prayer to worship him right now.
Pray
I am blessed with your topic very much indeed