WORSHIP THROUGH DEVOTION
A worshiper is "devoted". All his devotion goes to that which he or she is devoted to. Today, let's ask ourselves, are we really devoted to Jesus? Is He the passion of our heart? Have we truly devoted our entire being to Him? Let's look at just what this might mean ... to be "devoted" to Jesus:
Let's look at a scripture verse in Psalms:
Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You (Psalm 119:38, Amplified Bible).
Also, a verse from the book of John:
We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and a worshiper of Him and does His will, He listens to him (John 9:31, Amplified Bible).
Do you see what I see in these verses? These verses are telling us that God establishes His word, and confirms His promises to His servants (to those who reverently fear and devotedly worship Him, and, do His will). My, what revelation! Are not these verses telling us then, that His worshippers (those who reverently fear Him, obediently do His will, and devotedly worship Him) are the very ones to whom His promises are made available? Are not these who worship, obey and fear (meaning revere, respect and honor) Him, the very ones that He says He listens to? This, at least, is my observation from these verses.
Let's take a look at these verses from the Strong's Concordance. Here are but a few of the meanings of key words in verse 38, from Psalm 119:
1. Establish: perform, confirm, accomplish, prove, fulfill, carry out, give effect to
2. Word: word, speech, commandment, utterance, speech, word, word of God, the Torah (first 5 books of the Hebrew Scriptures)
3. Servant: manservant, bondman, bondservant, slave, servants, worshippers of God, servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)
4. Fear: fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety, revered
What is being said here is ...
The Lord will perform, accomplish, fulfill, yes, He will carry out His Word, His speech, even His commandments, to those who serve Him, yes, even to those who worship Him, to those who respect Him, and show Him reverence. It is to such ones, He will accomplish His will, through the very promises of His Word.
The word "devoted", or "devotedly" is not listed, but a few times, in the Strong's Concordance, so we will now look within the "American Heritage Dictionary" for the meaning:
Devote:
1.To give or apply (one's time, attention, or self) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person.
3. To set apart by or as if by a vow or solemn act; consecrate.
2. Having been consecrated; dedicated.
2. An ardent or fanatical adherent of a religion.
4. The act of devoting or the state of being devoted.
Our acceptable devotion to Him ...
should come from hearts full of affection for Him, hearts fully dedicated to Him. If we are truly devoted to the Lord, we will find ourselves in pursuit of Him, though we might, because of our strong affection towards Him, be considered of others, a bit fanatical, or perhaps even what we call "big-time" fanatical. In our own lives, we will experience a feeling of being "set apart" unto Him, and set apart for the very work of His Kingdom, thus such desire being placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
In John 9:31, let's look at the word "worshiper", according to the Strong's Concordance:
Worshiper: a worshiper of God.
Since little is said of "worshiper", let's take a look at another verse. Let's turn to John 4:23, an see what Jesus Himself has to say regarding the subject of worship, from both the Amplified, and the KJV Bible:
A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). (John 4:23, Amplified Bible).
John 4:23, from the KJV:
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.(KJV)
Now let's look at a few meanings of key words, from the Strong's Concordance Greek:
True:
that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name, real, true genuine, veracious (honest), sincere.
Worship:
meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand;
3. in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance (special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly), whether in order to express respect or to make supplication to the Lord.
Seeketh: require, desire, seek in order to find, seek for, seek after, aim at, strive after
Here, the Lord is saying His true worshipers will not only represent His name, but even more-so, they will have His actual nature, in every respect, signified by being real, genuine and sincere, even as He is. These very ones will reverently worship Him, and will in no way find it difficult to humble themselves before Him, kneeling, even prostrating themselves before Him, in honor and respect of Him. It is these the Lord seeks after. It is these, His heart aims to find.
Please permit me now, to paraphrase what I believe is being said here, with the help of the Holy Spirit:
The Lord desires, even requires, yes, He even seeks to find, those who are of a real and genuine heart. Yes, He seeks after those who have a heart like His. You see, it is these very ones He listens to, these ones with a heart that is totally devoted to Him. It is such ones who are in pursuit of Him, and whose strong affections are continuously towards Him, yes, those ones who are completely dedicated to Him, those ones who are honest and sincere. Yes, it is those He seeks after, and desires, to reverently worship Him. Yes, the Lord seeks to find those who will fear Him, yes, those who will, honor Him, respect Him, bow their hearts and knees before Him, and show Him the reverence due His holy name. It is to such servants, yes, it is to such worshipers of His, yes, even to those who reverently fear Him, and devotedly worship Him, that He confirms, and makes available the very promises of His word. It is these very ones His ear is available to. It is these ones (His true worshipers), that He listens to. May we pray this day, that we too will become His true worshipers, through hearts of devotion to our loving Father, for it is such ones He seeks to listen to, and greatly bless.
It is my prayer, that each of us, find our hearts hungering after the Lord, with an even greater desire and devotion to Him, and that each of us find a burning desire, deep within our hearts, to pursue Him, and to honor Him through such worship as He desires, as never before!
May God tremendously bless each one of you!
In His love,
Marcia
