Shalom dear reader,
This week we are going to examine the final verses of Genesis 22:1 – 19 as we end our study on “A Personal Journey Of Worship.”
So far we have looked at testing, listening and obedience and this week we will look at separation, preparation, sacrifice and testimony.
SEPARATION
In verse 5 we see Abraham instructing his young men to remain while he and his son went to the place of worship.
Genesis 22:5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
As important as corporate worship is, we do need to separate ourselves and spend time alone with God. It is in the time spent alone with God that we can enjoy communion with him and develop an intimate relationship with him. It is during these times, that we most often hear him speak to us.
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God….
PREPARATION
In verses 6 and 7 we see that Abraham made the necessary preparation by making sure that he had the provisions that were necessary for worship.
Genesis 22:6 – 7
- Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,
- Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
How do we prepare ourselves when we come to worship God? Part of our preparation is our personal lifestyle. What and who do we reflect in our personal daily walk?
When we come to corporately worship God, have we prepared ourselves during the week?
SACRIFICE
As we can see in the passage we are examining, part of the worship required a sacrifice (Verses 2, 7, 9 and 13). We are not called to sacrifice our children or animals, as Christ through his death has become our sacrifice. However we are called to sacrifice our lives and bring a sacrifice of praise.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of our lips that confess his name.
We also need to die to our desires and plans as we are here to fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.
TESTIMONY
As we worship and walk in obedience, we will notice that it will also result in others being blessed and us having a testimony to share as can be seen in verses 15 – 19. Can you just imagine what Abraham had to share when he returned to the young men with Isaac as he had said he would (Verse 5).
We are part of the body of Christ and our lifestyles and behavior will affect the body either positively or negatively whether we like it or not. Our corporate worship meetings will only reflect that which is in our daily lives. The extent of our personal worship will reflect our relationship with God as well as our knowledge of him.
I trust that this passage will encourage you to develop a deep and intimate relationship with God and as you discover more about him that your lives will overflow with praise and worship. We do indeed serve an awesome, almighty and holy God who deserves our obedience and deepest praise and worship.
This brings us to an end of “A Personal Journey of Worship.” I trust that you have been encourage and challenged. I look forward to continuing our journey of worship as we begin to focus on Corporate Worship in the weeks ahead.
Blessings,
Charmaine
Clim Jews for Jesus
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