Worship has an audience of One!

“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.”—A.W. Tozer Dear Friends, financial and prayer partners,

Worship in every aspect is always for an audience of one. God alone deserves such an honor. Not the angels, or the saints, or even Mary, the mother of our Lord, are worthy of the honor. Jubilant singing is fun, makes you feel good, but it is not worshiping unless it is Godward. Christian concerts fall into the same category.

The facts are evangelical congregations gorge themselves each week on pabulum feast full of psychological props, catchphrases, clichés, and comfy morals. Such soulish trivia is devoid for the most point of even a hint of contrite spiritual enlightenment, ever feasting, as it were, but never satisfied. Never experiencing the satiating fulness of what it means to bow in humble reverence before God in the awesome beauty of His Holiness.

Make no mistake, hoopla will, when orchestrated right, draw huge crows, fill large auditoriums, create a cult of ardent devotees, and rack up remarkable statistics to impress the home office—but, sadly, however, not an awesome God who is hidden in the splendor of His own light (Psalm 36:9).

Why, pray tell me, why all the fuss?

In reply, I say this simply because only those with clean hands may enter His presence. A feel-good atmosphere or watered-down gospel is not the criteria. Holiness is, however.

Who, then, ascends into the presence of the Lord?

And who has the privilege of entering into God’s Holy Place?

Those who are clean—whose works and ways are pure,

whose hearts are true and sealed by the truth,

those who never deceive, whose words are sure.

They will receive the Lord’s blessing

and righteousness is given by the Savior-God.

They will stand before God, for they seek the pleasure of God’s face…

(Psalm 24:1-6)

In essence, what David is saying, as are many others in Scripture, is that the altar must precede worship. Somehow, the church has primarily reversed the order. Repentance is restricted to a written prayer of response at best and seldom do we witness an old-fashioned altar call that invites the sinner forward to the mourner’s bench. How could there be since the user-friendly crowd has taken that away?

So, no, worship is not all about me, it is all about Him—repentance is, however.

Now, have a blessed day as you meditate on these words.

JimR_/