Tuesday January 30, 2024

Today is Tuesday, January 30 and we are studying what the Bible says about Sabbath worship.

As I begin a new day, I fix my eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. I focus on faithfully following his footsteps as he gently leads me on the well-worn paths of holiness.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord and Savior, teach me God’s holy rhythm for a Sabbath life. Reveal truth and vanquish lies, let love cast out fear, shine the light that overcomes the darkness, and fill me with the peace that passes understanding. Amen.

I praise God and worship him with the ancient words of Psalm 150.

Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:1-2,6

Pause and Pray

While traveling through the neighboring country of Samaria, Jesus came to a city called Sychar, the place of Jacob’s Well. In the heat of the day a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink. Their conversation deepened as he refreshed himself with the cool liquid. The woman drew him into an age-old debate between the Samaritans and the Jews about the proper place to worship God, Gerizim or Jerusalem. Jesus used this as an opportunity to reveal a deeper mystery about the true worship of God. An unconditional worship of God with one’s entire life.

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4:21-26

The woman’s understanding of worship was limited to a specific location – Mount Gerizim. Tradition taught her for generations that this was the place to worship Almighty God. Jews claimed this understanding was wrong and believed the one true place to worship God was at the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus forever removed the barrier of worship confined by locale. Worship happens from the temple of the heart. I can worship God anytime, anywhere and anyhow. When I focus on God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and lift up my soul to him in praise, I worship him. I am invited to worship beyond my weekly church-attending, pew-sitting, hymn-singing, corporate experience. Although church worship is the essential part of my Sabbath observance, I am invited to worship God, every day, every hour, and every moment.

Ask: How might I be confining or restricting my worship of God? Where have I found “altars in the world” to pause and pray throughout my week?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I worship you. I have come to know you and know that you know me. I thank you for your Son Jesus the Messiah and I praise you for the joy of my salvation in his name. Show me how to be the kind of worshiper you seek – one who worships you in Spirit and in truth. Jesus, speak to me, explain truth to me, and reveal the mysteries of the faith. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4:21-26

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God invites me to places of worship. The observance of Sabbath grounds me and provides structure and rhythm for my life. Weekly corporate worship is an essential practice and foundation of my faith. Daily worship sets my priorities as I spend the first fifteen minutes of my day in a posture of devotion, praise and prayer. What might God want to reveal to me about my practice of worship? Perhaps I am putting limitations on my worship. Maybe I am neglecting times of worship. Perhaps my mind is wandering and I struggle to stay focused and engaged in worship. Maybe I am too concerned about the mode of worship and less concerned about the object of my worship – the Triune God.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, reveal what it would mean for me to worship you in Spirit and in truth. Show me what I am lacking and where I have placed limitations. Introduce me to a new realm of Spirit-filled worship born in the temple of my heart. Remind me throughout the day to pause, give thanks, and worship you. Amen.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to worship God with all that I am and all that I have.

Amen