9 JULY, 2023

WORSHIP ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

(Growing in Faith, in Truth & in Spirit: GFTS 2)

The Psalmist gives us an insight into true worship which is acceptable to the holy God: “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psa.24:3-4).
Ascending “the hill of the Lord” refers figuratively to come into the Presence of God “in His holy place” in worship. He then gives us the answer: the moral and spiritual conditions needed to worship God and be accepted by Him.

1. We must have “clean hands”.
“Clean hands” imply moral righteousness. That means we must live a holy life – right relationship with God and men. Our moral conduct is important to God.

2. We must have a “pure heart”.
That means a heart cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. Our Lord also said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt.5:8). The “pure heart” means that there is no deceit, as Jeremiah says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?” (17:9). That is why, David, in wisdom prayed, “Search me, O God and Know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa.139:23-24). God wants a heart of integrity with pure motives, filled with love for Him and men.

3. We must not have idols: “who does not lift up his soul to an idol”.
The Apostle John told his spiritual children to “flee from idols” (1 Jn 5:21). An idol is the worship of a false god – something in our heart that comes between us and our God. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve (worship) both God and Mammon” (Matt.6:24). “Mammon” is the god of money and materialism. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 4:10), and many believers fall into this worldly trap and lose their love for God. Our heart must be totally devoted to God, as the greatest command says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” (Matt.22:37). Notice the emphasis on the word, ‘all’. That means there should be no room for other loves, because our God is a Jealous God!

4. We must always walk in Truth: “nor sworn deceitfully”.
God’s children must always be truthful and honest in whatever we do or say. Our “Yes” is “Yes” and “No” is “No”. John tells his children, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth” (3 Jn 4). Christ tells us that Father God “seeks true worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23). So often when we worship God in singing or in prayer, we say things we do not really mean. That is being hypocritical! May God help us not lie before Him in our worship! 

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