John 4:24: Worship is more than a song

 

Revised and re-posted below is a blog entry originally posted a year ago:

John 4:24 (New Living Translation)

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

John 4:24, the Verse of the Day for January 28, 2015, was a verse from which I composed a scripture memory song more than 10 years ago with these lyrics:

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him

Must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him

Must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

For the Father seeketh such to worship him.

The Father seeketh such to worship him.

The Father seeketh such to worship him,

To worship Him in spirit and in truth.

In a journal entry written a number of years ago, I comment on aspects of praise and worship which are a part of many church services. I note that the service will often begin in a very lively manner, as an attitude of praise energizes the morning service, but a noticeable change takes place as we move from praise into worship where we linger in the intimate presence of God. It is almost like riding in a raft over the white water rapids of a river and then the raft suddenly, yet not so subtly changes its course onto to a placid stream where you float swan-like downstream. Many times those directing praise and worship will lead the congregation into a number of spontaneous acapella worship songs that will usher us into the very presence of God.

The Verse of the Day from John 4:24 speaks of true worship and God’s desire that we “worship Him in spirit and in truth.” This “spirit of worship,” however, is to be maintained outside the confines of the church, as each believer should endeavor to develop “a lifestyle of worship.”

In reflecting upon worship as an expression of the most intimate relationship with God, we recognize and come to know the value of this deepest intimacy, which is the title of a poem also inspired by John 4:23-24:

The Value of Deepest Intimacy

Worship is a lifestyle which reveals God’s worth.  

James Cook

 

²³But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true                                       

worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit

and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

 ²⁴God is a Spirit: and they that worship him

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23-24

 

Beyond the price of passion when two lovers meet:

You are my treasure, and I am yours furthermore,

More precious than anointing oil compounded to pour

Upon Aaron’s head and running down to his feet.

Costly are aloes that perfume our bed, a token.

How precious is the balm that soothes and allays all fears:

Whispered words tenderly express to caress the ears,

Endearing words of affection constantly spoken.

Though satisfied for now, our love is yet to be fulfilled

To quench the deep thirsting in my soul for more of you.

Though each time that we are together our love seems new,

Only in eternity will true love be revealed.

What is the worth of true worship in the highest degree?

Priceless is the value of this deepest intimacy.

 

Among the many worship songs that speak in terms of an intimate relationship with God is “Worship is More than a Song” by Montell Jordan:

Just as we are earnestly seeking a true worship experience with God, the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.

Tags: John 4:23-24, John 4:24, praise and worship, true worship, worship as a lifestyle, worship songs