-January 29, 2025-
Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Today’s verse is found in the context of the conversation Jesus had with the woman at the well, also called the Samaritan woman. Jesus asked her for a drink of water, but turned the discussion to spiritual water that quenches the soul, and springs up into everlasting life.
At the tail end of his conversation with her, He spoke of true worship: where it should be and how it should be. Worship is both private and public; silent or vocal.
• Where We Worship – Jesus addressed the age long controversy between the Jews and Samaritans on where to worship. The Jews believed it was Jerusalem, the Samaritans felt it was the mountain of Samaria. Jesus demonstrated it wasn’t the place as much as the heart of the worshipper.
We can and should worship the Lord at church, at home, or wherever we are, as long as we are right with God through faith in Jesus. Some have mistakenly taken this to mean that we don’t need to go to church, which is so wrong. Just look at Acts 2:42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
• How we are to worship – Jesus simply states, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” To worship God in spirit means that in our spirit we worship God through the Holy Spirit. We need to give our whole heart to Him in worship.
We must also worship God in truth, following the Scriptures. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Worship should always be reverent, holy, Christ-centered, and joyful. Worship is all never about us, but about Him: His person and His work. Worship is focusing on His worth, His works, His power and His glory.
There is a beautiful hymn written by Inglis Fleming entitled, “We Worship Thee.” The last stanza and chorus says, “Exalted to the Father’s throne, with glory and with honor crowned, all at Thy glorious name shall bow, as Lord of all by each be owned. We worship Thee, all glorious Lord, forever be Thy name adored! We worship Thee, all glorious Lord, forever be Thy name adored!”
Let us worship the Lord today in spirit and truth, giving Him all the honor and glory due to His name. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.
Worship Him with hearts full of wonder and gratitude.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 