Now I am on trial because I am looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promise made to our ancestors. In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have (Acts 26:6-7b, NLT).
Above everything else, God wants us to worship Him. We may often talk of serving God, giving to God, working for God, and the like. But first and foremost, God wants us to worship Him. As a matter of fact He wants everything we do in relation to Him to be an act of worship, whether in giving or serving or labouring for Him. Our Lord Jesus said God our Father is looking for true worshippers, who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. He wants you to be one.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
From our text of today, Paul said our spiritual ancestors-Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the prophets demonstrated to us that we are not to worship God seasonally. We are to worship God night and day, everyday of our lives, until we see His face in glory.
Some people worship the God of Sunday! They are in the spirit of worship only on Sunday. No! We are to walk before the Lord daily, live our lives before Him moment by moment, meditate in His word day and night, and make our entire lives an art of worship in whatsoever we do, living for Him day by day.
But why do we worship God night and day?
First, because we love Him. Our worship should not be mechanical. It must flow from a heart full of love. We love God because we know He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Because He gave His only Son for us we are giving our all to Him. We therefore love the Lord our God with all our hearts with all our souls, with all our minds and with all our might. We love Him totally because He is our God. But from the text of today, we see another reason why we worship God night and day. He has given us the promise of eternal glory. He has given us the hope of eternal life. He has promised to raise us up in the morning so we can enjoy His glory for ever. Jesus our Lord said "because I live ye shall live also." God has given us assurance that He will raise us up in the last day, give us an incorruptible body and make us to be with Him forever in glory. And we know He cannot lie. The Bible says, "Christ in you is the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).
Therefore we believe God. We trust Him that as He raised Jesus Christ from the dead He will raise us up also. He has given us a promise of a glorious life after this life. And He is faithful. Therefore we worship Him night and day, waiting for Him to perform His Word in our lives.
Beloved, understand the reason why you worship, and do it consciously, conscientiously, wholeheartedly, night and day. And you will wake up in glory with God, and reign with Him for ever.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness (Psalm 17: 15).
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: JOHN 14:1-3
FOR FURTHER STUDIES: 1 COR. 15
Prayer Points:
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Give thanks to God for the hope of eternal glory He has given us.
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Ask the Lord to help you to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, night and day.
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Pray for your Pastor.
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Give thanks to God for answering your prayers.