A.W. Tozer is always a challenge! In his book “Whatever Happened to Worship?: A Call to True Worship.”, Tozer observes:
“It certainly is true that hardly anything is missing from our churches these days—except the most important thing. We are missing the genuine and sacred offering of ourselves and our worship to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (p.9)
Every glimpse of Heaven shown to us in the Bible contains worship. Isaiah chapter 6 for example or Revelation chapter 4, reveal to us myriads of angles crying our “holy is the Lord…worthy is the Lord” in awed adoration and jubilant praise. This spontaneous and joyful outburst provides Christians with a mirror reflection by which to measure our praise here on earth.
Comparatively speaking our worship here on earth, given that we are fallen creatures, will always be but a pale reflection, but if we are “true worshippers” in the spirit of John 4:24, our worship will be marked, however imperfectly, by a sense of awe and wonder in the presence of God.
This is a great challenge to our souls. Tozer declares: “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven….God has provided His salvation that we might be, individually and personally, vibrant children of God, loving God with all our hearts and worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness.” (p. 13-14).
Our Lord Jesus tells us in John chapter 4 that God is seeking worshippers! I want to be such a worshipper. I want to heed the challenge of A. W. Tozer when he said: “What are we going to do about this awesome, beautiful worship that God calls for? I would rather worship God than do any other thing I know of in all this wide world…..I wish that we might get back to worship again. Then when people come into the church they will instantly sense that they have come among holy people, God’s people. They can testify, “Of a truth God is in this place.” (p. 18,20).
Tony Hogarth commented- “As I sang a song of worship on my knees before bed ,this scripture came to mind Ephesians 5 v 19 ,speak to one another with psalms,hymns and spiritual songs . Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. I have to do this on my own at home which always lifts me ,wouldn’t it be Great if everyone could lose their inhibitions at home during the week and bring that worship to church on a Sunday. Worship Together with your loved ones and be free from embarrassment when in church,just a thought for all you Families out there . Love in the Lord, Tony xx”
There is something very precious about worshipping God. As we fix our eyes on praising our creator we are by default raised from our circumstances and taken to a higher place. A place where we are reminded of what is important and where our priorities should be. A place of peace and release, a place of restoration. The past months have been a challenge as we have not been able to worship in song together in our churches. Thank you Lord that restrictions are lifting and we can once again stand together as one body and lift our voices to the Lord.