Our Spiritual Worship

BASED OFF GENESIS 22

As we come to the end of the Genesis record about the life of Abraham it is wonderful to see how this man of faith finished his spiritual journey.  From Genesis 11 to Genesis 22 we have seen a man who had surrendered his life to God and lived as a pilgrim looking to the promises of God.  But often times, his experiences through trials didn’t speak of faith but of fear.  If it had not been for God’s grace in his life, it seems possible his spiritual journey could have easily derailed.

But when we get to Genesis 22, we see that his ‘tested faith’ had been refined to perfect obedience to God, even in the most extreme of challenges.  In the New Testament letter of James, we see that God’s desire is that we would likewise grow to a place of perfect obedience and submission.  That we would have a complete and perfect faith.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:2-4 NKJV

Warren Wiersbe coined the phrase: “A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.”

How true that is.  It’s interesting that Genesis 22 begins with this one final test for Abraham.  Not for the downfall of Abraham’s faith, but for the demonstration of Abraham’s faith that would make him a great example and model of faith for us all.

Over the years I have become quite familiar with Genesis 22, as many of us probably have.  I have appreciated the great parallels to Calvary, and how it foreshadows another Father offering His Son on the very same mountain. The introduction of the first word usage of ‘love’ in the Bible is significant as we overlay this chapter with John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 

But there was something new that stood out to me as I contemplated the text this last week.  That is the first appearance of the word ‘worship’ in the bible.  It says:

Genesis 22:5 NKJV  And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you."

It is often true that the first usage of a word in the Bible sets the tone of how it should be understood through the rest of the Bible.   In this case, worship carries a very strong meaning.  Abraham was willing to lay down everything before God.  And it's interest that that is the simple definition of that word 'worship'.  Shâchâh means simply to ‘lay down’ or ‘bow down’.

I’m not sure how many of us actually grasp that concept of worship.  When we think of worship, we might think of the ‘worship experience’.  "The music was amazing", "the atmosphere was powerful".  If we are not careful we might even centre worship around our feelings.  But we often see that worship is the attitude we bring, not the feeling we receive.

The model of worship found in Genesis 22 is one of acknowledging God as supreme and worthy of it all.  It’s bowing ourselves and our expectations down to Him. Hebrews 13:15 describes it as 'A sacrifice of praise'.  And I believe when that is our attitude, then the richness of worship will truly be experienced.

When our hearts are right in worship, we can worship in any situation and any setting.  We can worship with a hymn played on a piano or a full acoustic band… even with drums and an electric guitar!

Paul and Silas could worship God in a jail cell after being beaten up! They were surrendered to God and His ways.  

I’ve recently been reading through the records of the Kings of Judah and what stood out to me was how important worship was to the success of the nation.  In the case of King Jehoshaphat it is what preceded a great victory.  The people bowed down before God and worshipped, placing the expectation for victory in Him.  The next day great deliverance came which lead to more worship!

2 Chronicles 20:18 NKJV  And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

How often do we approach our problems with that mindset? 

I think there is a great NT parallel to the Genesis 22 example of worship.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)

If we talk about our faith growing, ascending the mountain of faith like the example of Abraham before us, it is actually a posture of bowing down that will do it.

In the words of John the Baptist…  “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  John 3:30.

A life surrendered to God in this manner will be a life that is used to impact this world like the life of Abraham did!