Whatever!

“…No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing...”

11 Samuel 24:24b

If you are a parent – especially of a teenager – you have probably heard today’s one word title expressed by your child and usually attached to an attitude.

Do you suppose we sometimes come to God in worship with that same sentiment and with an equal amount of attitude attached? If we approach God with our rules, our methods and our ways of worship we are sure to limit our access.

You see God has a prescribed way to approach Him and to worship Him. We often think that because the veil was torn in two at the moment of Christ’s death and access was given that same access being given means that anything goes. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 A self-centered and immature person might buy their spouse a gift that more accurately reflects their own tastes and desires. It may do nothing to minister to the recipient. A self-centered and immature person will approach worship the same way.  What makes me feel comfortable and ‘good’ is all that matters and certainly sacrifice has nothing to do with it. How much further from true worship can we get?

Maybe we could call it:

“Whatever Worship!”   

King David found out that there was a prescribed way to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. His mistake cost a man named Uzzah his life.

 Pretty severe you think?

Maybe – or – maybe it places a greater value on

how we worship God then we want to admit.

So what’s the lesson for us?

 Follow God’s prescription for worship.

But, like medicine, a prescription unfilled will be of little value.