When do we worship?

When we feel like it? When we are in a church building? When things are going great?

In the Gospels when Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, He said some pretty interesting things about when we are to worship.

John 4:23 

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.

 Notice that Jesus said,

 “A time is coming and has now come…”  

When then do we worship? Now! Now is the time to worship!  If there is a start and stop to our worship, is it really worship? We are called to worship at all times, in everything we do. Not only when things are going great, but also when things aren’t going as we had hoped. In the book of Job, he says some pretty insightful words to his wife when she was complaining about the hardships they were facing.

Job 2:9-10

His wife said to him (Job), “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. 

Job was worshiping through all of the hardships. Does that mean he enjoyed the trials he was facing? Does this mean he didn’t have questions and concerns? NO, but it does mean that he kept himself from sin and in an attitude of true worship.

If we are choosing when to worship by scheduling it in, then that should be an indicator that we aren’t living a life of worship. If we only worship on Sunday mornings at church then we are in danger of seeing worship as an event rather than a lifestyle. No matter what happens throughout life, Worship Revolutionists live a life of worship and maintain their integrity to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Did you notice that it says to give thanks IN all circumstances? It does not say give thanks FOR all circumstances. “For all circumstances” would mean to thank God for tragedies and setbacks. We do not have to thank God for tragic circumstances, but we rejoice and thank God that He is in control in all of those circumstances. Knowing that God is still on the throne and reigning over us even when we are in the valley is something to rejoice about. The Bible says to give thanks IN ALL circumstances. This means to live a lifestyle of constant connection with God, not allowing circumstances to pull us away from our faith and hope in Christ.

So when do we worship? Always, twenty-four-seven living in the presence of God. Even in the midst of the good, bad, and ugly, give thanks to God, rejoice, and pray continually.