The Meaning of Worship

Worship is acknowledging God, praising Him for His greatness and His achievements. It is thanking Him for His love towards us. Worship is reverence paid to God. We should regard Him as sacred and exalted, and admit our endless dependence on Him.

It should be one-to-one with God. It should be deep meditation, not shedding tears publicly for all to see. "Worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness: tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, `The Lord reigns'. The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity" (Psalm 96:9-10).

Moses had a one-to-one relationship with God while tending the flock (Exodus 3). Abraham spoke to God when God made a covenant with him; the angel of the Lord appeared to him. So if we worship him with all our might, He will reward us in due time. Abraham was given a son though he was old.

What lessons do we learn from all this? Listen to these words: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him" (Psalm 34:7-8).

On many occasions Jesus Christ had a one- to- one with God. He would move to a secluded place to pray to God, to worship his Father. One such incident was when he was with his disciples (Luke 22:39-43). In verse 14, he actually withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed. He was alone when an angel of God appeared to him.

Let us worship the Father with our hearts and minds and be in deep meditation always.

Bro Itai Tembo (Sanyati, Zimbabwe)