Young People's Group

HAVING A RIGHT KIND OF SPIRIT IN WORSHIP

by Pastor Mitch
November 18, 2007

Having A Wrong Kind Of Spirit In Worship

God looks at the spirit in which we worship Him. During the times of Isaiah, the Priests and the Levites offered worship in a way that did not bring delight to the Lord.

“He who kills a bull is as if he lays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering as if he offers swine’s blood” 
Isaiah 66:3

They were worshipping the Lord in their own way. Their service and offerings were not given from their heart. They were worshipping the Lord in a blatantly perfunctory manner. Their worship was obviously rejected by the Lord. Young people, let’s be very vigilant that we do not end up with a wrong spirit in worship.

God Honours The Person With A Right Kind Of Spirit

“But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.”
Isaiah 66:2

God dwells in the lofty and high place in the spiritual realm and yet, he honours the one with a right kind of spirit in worship. He will look upon this person with favour.

1. One Who Is Poor In Spirit

The word “poor” means humble. When we come before the Lord, we must come with a meek and lowly spirit. When we see how lofty and great the Lord is (Isaiah 66:1-2), we cannot help but realise how tiny we are before Him. This is not about having a false sense of humility. It’s having a truly humble disposition before a great and awesome God.

2. One Whose Spirit Is Broken For Life

The Hebrew word for “contrite” is the word “Nakeh”. It means to be smitten, to be maimed or lame. The idea here is to be maimed for life. When our spirit is broken, it means that our spirit is transformed on a permanent basis. When the Lord brings about testing in our lives, they can break our spirit. Our spirit would be “marred” for life. There would always be a sense of penitence within our spirit.

3. One Who Fears God And His Word

When we have true humility, we would understand what it means to tremble at the word of God. An unassuming and poor spirit knows what it means to fear God and His word. The challenge for us is to have a proper regard for the Scriptures. Let’s learn to cultivate this fear of the Lord. Let’s recognise God as a great, almighty and lofty God. Let’s come humbly before Him in worship and He will honour us in a special way.

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