Sunday Bulletin – 05 May 2024

Reverend Wilfred Lim | May 05, 2024

“And Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you’” (Genesis 22:5).

Dear worshipers of the Most High,

What is the picture that comes to mind when we talk about worship?

The first mention of this English word “worship” in the Bible, is found in the above quoted verse. There were no angelic voices, skilful display of instruments, loud expression of bodily movement or enthusiastic congregants. There was only Abraham and his offering. The two young men were instructed to stay put with the donkey. It was to be done in private, unto God alone. It was a time of decision. A time of great internal struggle – offer up Isaac as the burnt offering or spare this precious son (Genesis 22:1-12).

This resembles what happened in the Garden of Eden. Adam also had to face his own internal struggle alone – God’s will or his own will (Genesis 2:17, 3:1-6). Ever since, God has repeatedly tested man to qualify him for His purposes (Psalms 66:10, Proverbs 17:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Timothy 3:10). Where the first Adam had failed, the last Adam overcame. In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Lord Jesus was alone (the disciples were told to stay a distance away). It was also a time of decision and internal struggle – Father’s will or His own will. The Son of Man yielded, submitted and surrendered to the Father’s will, “not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:36-39). This is worship.

Beloved saints of Most High God, each and every time, when we choose God’s will over our own will, it is worship. When a liar decides to lie no more, it is worship. When a man decides to put away his secret sins, it is worship. When the embittered wife decides to forgive the wayward husband, it is worship. When the gamer decides to utilize his time to study the Bible, it is worship. When a gossiper decides to tame her tongue, it is worship. And when we begin to forebear with our fellow brethren, it is worship. When we start to care for the unlovable, it is worship. When we love our enemies, it is worship. When the church of Jesus Christ yields, surrenders and submits fully to her Master, it is worship.

Both in Hebrews and Greek, the word “worship” has the meaning to prostrate, bow down, fall down flat, humbly beseech and reverence. It depicts a picture of falling upon the knees and touching the ground with forehead as an expression of profound reverence. It is the bowing down to the Father’s will. Each and every time, when we lay down our own ways, plans and desires so as to obey His will, we are offering up worship. Away from public eyes, when we overcome ourselves and choose Him and His over “Me and mine,” we are the worshipers that the Father seeks (John 4:23-24).

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20)”.

Shalom,
Rev. Wilfred Lim