God is seeking worshippers. In John 4:23-24 we hear Jesus
say, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will
worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people
to worship Him. God is spirit, and those
who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Worship is the theme
of Isaiah 29. The
problem with the people’s worship is found in verse 13: "this people
draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are
far from me and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men" (Is 29:13)
But God brings about a change in their minds and
hearts, and the chapter
ends with a beautiful picture of God’s redeemed people worshipping him: “they
will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand
in awe of the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 29:23)
What has
changed? What is different in the way
they see God and worship him?
Our
worship changes when our response to God’s Word changes. God’s Word is no longer a closed book (Is
29:11-12 & 18). The words of the
book are now heard and seen, and everything changes (vv19-24).
Dr. Alec
Motyer writes, “The first and major indication of a transforming work of God is
a new need for the truth, a conviction where the truth is to be found, a zeal
for the Word of truth, an appetite for God’s Book. And not just the first sign, but also God’s
recipe for progress to maturity.”
(Isaiah by the Day, p. 146)
Does this
describe your heart? Is this the hunger
of your soul?
Show Us Christ is one of
the songs that will be a part of our service this Sunday. I encourage you to let these words be the
prayer you pray as you prepare for worship.
Prepare our hearts, O God; Help
us to receive;
Break the hard and stony
ground; Help our unbelief.
Plant Your Word down deep in
us; Cause it to bear fruit
Open up our ears to hear, Lead
us in Your truth.
Show us Christ, show us Christ.
O God, reveal Your glory
through the preaching of Your Word;
Until every heart confesses
Christ is Lord.
Your Word is living light upon
our darkened eyes;
Guards us through temptations;
Makes the simple wise.
Your Word is food for famished
ones; Freedom for the slave;
Riches for the needy soul; Come
speak to us today.
Show us Christ, show us Christ.
O God, reveal Your glory
through the preaching of Your Word;
Until every heart confesses
Christ is Lord.
Where else can we go,
Lord? Where else can we go?
You
have the words of eternal life.
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