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The Unfinished Song of Worship

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The Unfinished Song of Worship

The alarm clock goes off.

It’s Sunday morning and it’s time to get ready for church. You found this fellowship that you really like, and you LOVE the worship there. You’re finally dressed, in your car, and playing your pre-game worship warmup list. You get to the service just in time to catch the first song. It’s your favorite! You’re feeling the presence of God. All is well until…

The band and singers stop halfway through the song. It’s over. It’s almost enough to make you get in the flesh.

Sometimes I wonder if that’s how God feels when He hears our worship.

I mentioned that God hears our worship. There’s so much that goes into the melody of our worship to God. And no, it’s not about voice control. In fact, the first time that the word “worship” is even mentioned in the Bible is not in relation to a song at all.

Genesis 22:5-6 says, “Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.”

The first mention of worship actually had to do with sacrifice. When God looks at our worship, he doesn’t just look at how well we can spiritually connect with Him through a song. He looks at our sacrificial obedience to him in every area of life.

Ok, so…

Great worship songs: Check.

Personal, sacrificial obedience to God: Check.

We should be good now, right?

Not exactly. There’s something else that God looks for in His true worshippers. If He doesn’t find this, then everything else becomes an annoyance to Him. Amos 5:21-24 NLT reads:

21 “I hate all your show and pretense—
the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.
I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.
23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
an endless river of righteous living.

 

God loves justice! Our God loves justice so much that all of our expressions of worship don’t matter a great deal to Him without it. Our worship songs are unfinished without justice and righteous living. Our worship movements are incomplete without justice movements.
I think we can see this example best in the life of Jesus. The cross was the greatest act of worship and the greatest act of justice that this world has ever seen. As Jesus offered himself up as a living sacrifice (worship), God showed himself to be both the justifier of us who believe in Him and just to those who do not (justice). As followers of Jesus, we can’t let our life’s worship song go unfinished. Sing loud, sing proud, and sing the whole song!
How does your worship lifestyle partner with God to bring His justice into your world? I’d love to hear about it in the comment section.

Jarrell

I'm a hip hop and spoken word artist and the founder of Freedom Music Group. I also have the privilege of leading the RISE Movement, a family of artists who are committed to bring the kingdom of God into the art space of San Antonio, TX and beyond. My wife and I are the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Nyomi and Liviya.

14 Comments

  • Ramon sanchez

    Reply February 15, 2018 5:37 pm

    Good word bro. It’s not only about the music or the singing, we need to also worship in spirit and truth. Showing up and showing out isn’t enough, as Lecrae once said “after the music stops, what’s next?!?!” I personally don’t care about all the lights and flashy stuff, I’m good with sharing with those that want to listen. My music is my personal expression to Christ, honoring Him, even better if others want to listen. Away with that strange fire.

  • Stephanie Daniels

    Reply February 15, 2018 9:31 pm

    I worship God with my whole heart in spirit and in truth by surrendering my life to Him. I love what He loves and hate what He hates. 😊

  • Charles E. Flowers

    Reply February 16, 2018 9:12 am

    Unfinished songs…. This look into the full concept of worship catapults us well beyond the experience of great music and voice control; even feeling His Presence. Does our worship manifest His Presence in the midst of injustice protected by indifference?

  • Timothy Donta Harvey

    Reply February 16, 2018 1:20 pm

    man brother Jarrell this spoke volumes to me and changed my entire concept of worship thank you so much – brother Timothy Harvey

  • Sheree

    Reply February 16, 2018 1:34 pm

    This is a great word! Our worship should be unto God wherever we are, I believe that’s the beauty of it. Worshipping in Spirit and truth through our life long love song with ABBA!!!

  • J’Shcarla Adkins

    Reply February 16, 2018 4:20 pm

    Amen and I agree!

  • Marcus Travis

    Reply June 13, 2018 7:08 pm

    Thanks for the teaching brother! That was enlightening. Deeply appreciate it.

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