Day 28

”Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

—JOHN 4:23

There is a marked difference between Old Testament descriptions of worship and New

Testament descriptions of worship. In the Old Testament, worship was centered on a particular place, with particular priests and particular rituals that had to be observed.

In the New Testament, worship has nothing to do with special buildings or special personalities or particular rituals. All of that was abolished by the Lord Jesus Christ. If the Old Testament emphasized external forms, structures, rituals and liturgies, the New Testament focuses entirely upon internals - the heart, conscience and life of the worshipper.

Although we are glad to have buildings to meet in, don’t confuse buildings with the house of God. In contrasting the temple of the Old Covenant, Paul wrote, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). God’s home on earth is now in us, not in material buildings. Our worship is not now a matter of place and form, but of spirit and of truth.

To worship in truth is to worship out of the revelation God has given us of His greatness and salvation, and the revelation He has given of our sinfulness, weakness and poverty. It is from our perspective of poverty we worship His richness, and out of the perspective of our sin and brokenness we rejoice in and worship Him in His righteousness which He graciously clothes us with.

To worship in spirit is to connect intimately with Him. We do not worship at a distance, but it is His Spirit that indwells the believer to make them regenerate, to give spiritual life and energy. Therefore it becomes a true response of hearts connected with His.

To worship in spirit and in truth is about our disposition of love, humility, trust and obedience towards God. It is this which makes worship acceptable and the deep delight of our hearts.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is the strong desire of my heart to always worship You in SPIRIT and in truth. Thank You for your indwelling Spirit who makes that possible and I pray for an ever growing and deepening communion with You. You’re all I need and I love You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I experiencing a deeper, more intimate union with God in my worship of Him?