Last night, I attended an unforgettable worship experience. The community of believers rose and fell in unity, raising their hands in worship while singing songs they knew by heart. At center stage, men bowed their knees as they prayed for favor. The couple who sat behind me had occupied the same seats for the last forty-nine years, having taught their children and grandchildren to believe in the same way they did.
As is typical in worship experiences, those watching from the seats encouraged the small percentage who carried out the rites of worship. When the worship team delivered exceptionally favorable results, the believers cheered them on enthusiastically. When the team let them down, repetitive prayers were spoken or yelled to spur them on again. Lights and smoke helped keep the congregants engaged with the worship, and often the worship team would lift their arms to the crowd to encourage them not to grow weary in their well-doing. Loud, unfailing worship spurred the team on all the way to the favorable outcome everyone except the opposing enemy prayed for.
Of course, I do live in Texas, where God, football, and barbecue all hold nearly equal places in the hearts of Texans. Though a bit “tongue-in-cheek” with this assessment of a football game as a worship experience, I will say that I have never attended another one quite like what I witnessed last night. However, there were many parallels to some church services I have observed. All humans give their worship to something. Some even know how to balance their gods, dividing them into appropriate boxes at the appropriate times.
Pastor Adrian Rogers made a statement so profound that I cannot look at my worship the same way. “Many will make Jesus prominent, but not many will make Him preeminent.” This is the test of devotion God commands. Will I choose Him if there is a better option? When temptation speaks my name, will I love Him more than the pleasure sin offers for a moment? If what I love clashes with what God loves, do I choose His love or mine? This is the test of preeminence I now cannot unknow. Of course, my obedience does not earn His approval or love, but it will matter for how I live out the life He has given me. As a believer, I will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The things that I lived for and chose to accomplish will either withstand the refining fire, or it will lie in ashes at my feet. It is that day which will reveal what I really worshipped.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Have a wonderful weekend, my friends, and may your worship be as true on Sunday as it is on the weekdays.
His Song in the Night 