The Blessing of Real Worship
Exodus 23: 25 You shall worship the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water.
This verse falls in a section of the chapter in which God promises to send an Angel, [the Lord Himself] to lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land and to drive out the heathen inhabitants. Should the Jews refrain from bowing to idols and should they obey the Lord, He would do mighty acts for them. In his commentary on the book of Exodus, Matthew Henry writes, we do well to take heed of provoking our protector and benefactor, because if our defense depart from us, and the streams of His goodness be cut off, we are undone.
This verse falls in a section of the chapter in which God promises to send an Angel, [the Lord Himself] to lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land and to drive out the heathen inhabitants. Should the Jews refrain from bowing to idols and should they obey the Lord, He would do mighty acts for them. In his commentary on the book of Exodus, Matthew Henry writes, we do well to take heed of provoking our protector and benefactor, because if our defense depart from us, and the streams of His goodness be cut off, we are undone.
In order to ensure that the Lord God alone was worshipped, Israel was ordered to make no treaties and do no intermingling. Scripture tells us that this command was not obeyed fully. Some of the people of the land were allowed to live in harmony with the Israelites while others were left alone as neighbors. I cannot help but wonder how it would translate today in terms of peace in Jordan, if the LordÂ’s command had been carried out fully. You see friends the Lord had already promised Israel that He would destroy the wicked inhabitants of the land. All they had to de was cooperate by doing their part. God will give us victory over our enemies [the world, flesh, and Satan], but we are expected to fight the good fight of faith.
All this is achievable if we adhere to the command of today’s text. Worship the Lord your God! Just who do you worship my friend? The ‘who’ of our worship is evident in the ‘how’ of our living. We are called to maintain a lifestyle that shows our faith, and to do so amidst neighbors, coworkers, family and friends whose beliefs and values may be completely different from ours. In today’s society when the Christian lifestyle sets us out from the normal way of living, this can be challenging. We are to press on however, regardless of the opposition we face. God has already promised His blessings upon us. Yes friends, He will bless your bread. Bread signifies our daily needs. Our wants will be supplied. ‘Thou prepares a table before me ….. He will also bless your water. Water signifies life. Your entire life will be blessed when you worship the Lord. This includes your family, your job, your possessions, everything about you. The true worshipper will become a source of blessings to others.
Remember though, that worship is not just going to church. It is not to sit passively and watch what others are doing. Worship is to become immersed in the expression of praise and devotion. It is the direct acknowledgement to God for who He is by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by doing deeds to show this acknowledgement. It is an ongoing expression of appreciation to God for who He is to us. It is like a fire that spreads from heart to heart.
May your day be filled with worship of the one, true and living God, and may you reap the promised blessings as you do, and may you incite worship among those you meet along the journey. Remember to let your light [life] shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify [worship] your Heavenly Father.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed.
All this is achievable if we adhere to the command of today’s text. Worship the Lord your God! Just who do you worship my friend? The ‘who’ of our worship is evident in the ‘how’ of our living. We are called to maintain a lifestyle that shows our faith, and to do so amidst neighbors, coworkers, family and friends whose beliefs and values may be completely different from ours. In today’s society when the Christian lifestyle sets us out from the normal way of living, this can be challenging. We are to press on however, regardless of the opposition we face. God has already promised His blessings upon us. Yes friends, He will bless your bread. Bread signifies our daily needs. Our wants will be supplied. ‘Thou prepares a table before me ….. He will also bless your water. Water signifies life. Your entire life will be blessed when you worship the Lord. This includes your family, your job, your possessions, everything about you. The true worshipper will become a source of blessings to others.
Remember though, that worship is not just going to church. It is not to sit passively and watch what others are doing. Worship is to become immersed in the expression of praise and devotion. It is the direct acknowledgement to God for who He is by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by doing deeds to show this acknowledgement. It is an ongoing expression of appreciation to God for who He is to us. It is like a fire that spreads from heart to heart.
May your day be filled with worship of the one, true and living God, and may you reap the promised blessings as you do, and may you incite worship among those you meet along the journey. Remember to let your light [life] shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify [worship] your Heavenly Father.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed.
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