THEY «WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH»
«But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him» (John 4:23).
HENRY WARD BEECHER, a renowned American minister from the nineteenth century, would preach at his church every weekend. Because he was a great preacher, people would pack the church just to hear his powerful sermons. On one occasion, Beecher was unable to preach and his brother Thomas was assigned to do so in his place. The church was packed as usual, but when Thomas took the platform, there was a murmur in the audience, and many people began to leave. Astonished by what was taking place, Thomas said, «All those who came here this morning to worship Henry Ward Beecher may now withdraw from the church—all who came to worship God may remain.»
How sad, but how true it is that many of us go to church to see so-and-so preach or so-and-so sing. I don’t think there is anything wrong with valuing the talent God has given certain men and women who use it in His service, but it should be clear in our minds that the main reason for our presence in church is to worship the Lord.
In Revelation 4 a grand scene of heavenly worship is presented to us. All of heaven’s inhabitants «give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever» (Revelation 4:9). And why do they worship him? «For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created» (verse 11). God deserves our worship because He is the Creator.
In chapter 5 of the same book, Revelation, the heavenly worshipers pay tribute to the Lamb. Why do they worship Him? Because the Lamb who was slain is «worthy … to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!» (verse 12). Christ deserves our worship because He died for us.
That heavenly experience of exclusive worship of the Son of God is the one that should be reproduced here on earth, in our churches. «True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth» (John 4:23).
Do you want to be a true worshiper of the Father? Don’t leave church for the wrong reasons. You went to worship God; stay and worship Him in spirit and in truth.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Angelica Cuate