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Devotional for Week of 16 June 2008 Sermon Title: Worship Comes By Knowing God “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need (Acts 17: 24-25). Introduction Christians must “know” God. What does it take, however, to “know” the Almighty One? Do we truly know Him for who He is, or do we know Him from what we have heard, or through our own impressions from past experience and influences? Knowing God The Athenians were a very religious group of people who worshipped many idols, including, “an Unknown God”. However, despite their efforts to be religious through idol worship, they did not know the true and living God. For it is as Isaiah 44: 11 states: the craftsmen of idols are nothing but men. Verses 16 to 19 illustrate the lowliness of these idols and the spiritual blindness of the people who worship them. God is the first and last, and apart from Him, there is no other God. (Isaiah 44:6) For He is the One who formed us in our mother’s wombs (Isaiah 44:2) and as our Creator, He will always be greater than His creation. On the other hand, idols, which are the product of man’s creation, cannot be God. God is unique. For His image is His own - His image is not determined by the likes and dislikes of man. Moreover, God has His own Will. We must then ask ourselves if our image of God is based on Scripture - His Word, or our own preferences and situations. Ultimately, we will only know God for who He is through Scripture. Who God Is God is: 1) Our Creator – Genesis reveals that He created everything. Nothing on earth is not subject to Him because He is our Maker. (Romans 9:20-21) 2) Lord of Heaven and Earth – He does not live in man-made temples. (Acts 17:24). Furthermore, God has no needs and can’t have His needs met by human beings – for He is higher and mightier than they are. 3) Our Provider – He gives life and breath to everything on earth (Acts 17:25). We are, therefore, not to put our hope in wealth and earthly riches, but in God who provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17). Conclusion Our response to worship is shaped by our image of who God is. Many Christians worship God based on prevailing situations and feelings within themselves. However, once we really know God for who He really is through His Word and not through our personal means, our worship attitude will change regardless of our circumstances and emotional state. Luke 18:19 expresses that no one except God is good. Therefore, during tough times, we need to remember the nature of God and trust His heart when we cannot understand our circumstances. We must remember why we followed God in the first place and not focus on the tough times. We must press on and continue to worship Him for who He is. God’s plan for humankind is for them to seek Him and be in relationship with Him. And indeed He is not far from any one of us. If the relationship is damaged, God will seek to get it repaired – but we must respond. Today, let us respond by turning from our sins, as Paul has said in verse 30 – and coming to Him. For on judgment day, we will be called to account for whether we’ve known God. Prayer Response Dear Lord, I acknowledge my sins and ask for Your forgiveness if I have placed any idol within my heart above You. I know that I have been saved by Your grace alone. I want to seek You and begin knowing You for who You are through Your Word since all scripture is God-breathed. I want to abandon my own images of You based on who I think You should or could be. Lord, hold my hands as I embark on this journey to know You. Please enable me to worship You for who you are, with the right posture of heart regardless of my circumstances and emotions. Amen. Devotional based on a sermon by Rev Joel Yang
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