Is your Sunday morning worship more powerful, more passionate, and more personal than it once was?
Several years ago, Matt Redmond released a song titled “The Heart of Worship.” He expressed a repentant heart when he sang, “I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it when it’s all about you, Jesus. It’s all about you.” I’ve been there too, and I can relate to that apology.
There was a time when all I offered in “worship” was a song. The words I sang lacked power because there was no Spirit involved. They lacked passion because I considered it too showy for me. They certainly weren’t personal, since I merely knew ABOUT God rather than truly KNOWING Him. Yet when I fully accepted the love God has for me, got to know Jesus as a friend, and felt the power of the Spirit living in me, everything changed.
When King Jehoshaphat of Judah saw three mighty armies approaching, he reminded the people that the battle belonged to the Lord. He told them to believe in the Lord, and they would be saved. Then, in an unprecedented move, he placed the worship singers on the front lines to give thanks to God in advance. “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.” (2 Chronicles 20:22) Jehoshaphat used the power of worship as a mighty weapon.
Paul and Silas also experienced worship as a weapon. As they sat, beaten and bloodied, in a prison cell, their singing shook the earth, broke chains, and opened prison doors. That same kind of powerful worship helps us when we feel beaten down, whether by the world or by our own thoughts. Worship is still a powerful weapon against Satan’s schemes.
Experiencing God’s love and forgiveness, even though we don’t deserve them, makes us love Him more. The woman who washed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7) with her tears wasn’t motivated by duty. She didn’t dry His feet with her hair because she had to; she did it because she loved Him for loving her. Her worship was a passionate expression of love.
This past Sunday, I needed to be reminded of all of this. My soul felt like David’s when he said, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:5 NLT) I knew I not only needed the power of worship to lift me out of my funk, but I also needed to experience the passionate worship of those around me who were unashamed to make it personal. It worked, and my soul was revived!
Once more, I can wholeheartedly join Matt Redmond in singing, “It’s all about you, Jesus. King of endless worth, no one could express how much You deserve. Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is Yours – every single breath.” It’s good to remind ourselves that worship is love expressed, and expressing our love is good for us.
If ever your worship doesn’t feel powerful, passionate, or personal, lean in closer to Jesus. He’s always got Something New! Take a minute to worship with Matt.
