The Power of True Worship

God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24)

Have you ever encountered a time when worshiping God was difficult or maybe even challenging? Well, I have. Recently, I had the honor of attending a minister’s visitation program in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was an amazing experience. I witnessed miracles take place right before my very eyes. I saw people healed that had been battling sickness and disease for years. I received an impartation that was out of this world from a mighty man of God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. The trip was everything that God said it would be and then some.

Returning home though, had been brutal. The jet lag was terrible; I felt exhausted, and I could not hear out of my right ear. After a few weeks of this, I went to the doctor, only to be given a steroid pack and told you really need to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor. I saw two different ENTs over the next several months and still no relief. It was devastating for me. I was frustrated, tired, and I did not feel like worshiping God.

Now, I know this may strike a chord with many of you. But it is true. My feelings had gotten the best of me. I was whining and complaining. It was all about me and not about God. My feelings had ushered me into a place where my trials were before my God. Not good. Clearly, we are told in Exodus 20:3 to put God first. Living by this means that we can’t worship God and our feelings.

Worship is so much more than rote religious activity. True worship is the giving of your heart to the Lord, in reverence and adoration. It is so much more than a singing of song or following a ritual. Worship is loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul. It involves making confessions to His name, based on who He is, and in line with the revelation of His personality in the Word of God.

True worship comes through surrendering our will to God’s will. It has nothing to do with how you feel, what you think, or even what you want. It has everything to do with Him being God. Finally, I came to the place where I told God “I am sorry” for having my own agenda. I wanted healing not the Healer. It wasn’t intentional but it is what happened. I would come to the place to worship and then I would become consumed with how bad I felt, the trouble I was having with hearing, and the echo in my ear. I was totally and completely distracted by what was going on with me and getting healed, that I neglected to see Him as God.

It was in this place of difficulty that I truly understood the power of true worship. True worship is not a feeling. True worship is spiritual. It is a heart fully open to God. True worship is the confession of God’s character. For example, when you give thanks to God and say, “Lord, you’re good; you’re kind; you’re sovereign; you’re righteous; you’ve blessed me; you love me,” and so on. You’re defining, recognizing and appreciating His character.

In worship, God reveals Himself to us. As you minister to Him, He ministers to you. God is never silent on the worshiper. When you need direction, guidance or divine intervention, worship the Lord. In Acts 13:1-2, the Bible says, "… as they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said…” Demonstrating for us that the power of God’s Spirit is made manifest in an atmosphere of true worship.

True worship is a real encounter with God. It is the place where God meets you, opens your eyes to see in the spirit, and helps you to receive the divine touch you need for your next level of glory.

Thank God for the mercy, grace, and love that he has for us. One day as I was in true worship, something shifted. I surrendered my heart to the Lord. I was no longer just going through the motions. I was no longer worshiping God for what He could do for me. I had come to the end of myself. My heart was in the right place and I was there for Him. I wanted the King…El Shaddai, My Provider, My Protector, My Healer, The Prince of Peace and all the other names of God. I wanted Him. I didn’t want anything else; I just wanted Him. When we want him more than anything else… that’s true worship.

True worship has the power to change you. My situation didn’t change but I was transformed through my worship of God. The scales fell from my eyes and I saw Him greater than my present condition. I saw Him as Healer and Sustainer. I saw Him as my Keeper, the one who never slumbers or sleeps. I saw Him as He truly is…God! Hallelujah!