The Heart of Worship
“Create in me a clean heart, oh God. Renew a loyal spirit in me.” - Psalms 51:10 (NLT)
What do you notice about this verse? What jumped out at you?:
Believers, should all strive to have a heart of worship. At the beginning of my walk as a new Christian, I found it hard to commit my mind and my heart to serving God over my own desires. Humanly speaking, it's hard to overlook when someone wrongs you. It's hard to forgive someone for past hurts. It's hard to understand the death of a person you weren't ready to lose. It's hard to understand where to go after your world has been turned upside-down; when a person whom you looked up to your whole life gets put in prison, and you wonder if your whole childhood was a lie.
Over the years, it wasn't always easy to stay on track, and it wasn't easy to look past the trials. I found that the simple act of putting worship music on, instead of the secular music I used to listen to, was the start of my faith journey. I would have it on in the car at all times. I would play it in the house, and over time, I felt things break off of me! I felt like I didn't want to stay mad. I found that in the sadness of losing someone, His grace and His presence held me through. I found peace in knowing that I don't have to know the answers to everything. I found peace in giving it all to Him.
Just the simple act of playing worship music, all the time, made me want to be a better person. It made me want to help someone, and not expect anything in return. I no longer wanted to do things that made me look good. I wanted to do things that honored Him. I realize now, that as my faith grew stronger, it had everything to do with my heart of worship. Singing worship songs throughout my day and becoming generous with my time by doing kind things for people (without expectation). Being able to spend time with God and not to ask Him for anything, but to simply thank Him for my blessings and for the answered prayers. Tithing and giving generously. All of it takes practice. It takes intentionality. The more you actively strive to have a heart of worship and make worship your lifestyle, the easier it gets to feel closer to Him, and have a relationship with our heavenly Father.
Reflect on the following questions:
1.) What are some ways that you can be intentional about the positioning of your heart when it comes to worship?
2.) Make a list of ways you can work on worshiping on more than just Sunday. How's your music intake? When was the last time you did something kind for someone, not to glorify you? Are you tithing? Do you spend time with God, and seek Him to praise and thank Him, rather than just asking Him for things?
Speak to the Lord and spend some time in prayer:
Lord, thank You for your grace and your kindness. Thank You for the ways you come through in the small things, God. Thank You that we can see You in our trials. Lord, I pray that You bless the person reading this devotional. I pray that as they come across this, that You seep into their hearts. God, I pray that You work on us to have a heart of worship. We don't want to show up just to ask You for something. Remind us to be grateful and to seek You; to humbly thank You. We wouldn't have any blessings in our lives, if it weren't for You. Thank You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!