Personal Worship

Genesis 4:3-5 - "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast." (NIV)

Genesis 22:12 - "'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.'" (NIV)

Psalms 98:1 - "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." (NIV)

Mark 14:6 - "'Leave her alone,' said Jesus. 'Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.'" (NIV)

Luke 10:41-42 - "'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'” (NIV)


Jesus loves our personal acts of surrender before him, our personal worship. It is in these one-on-one times with God that our relationship deepens. In these times, we present our gifts of surrender to him while sensing his pleasure. When Mary poured out her perfume and her love upon Jesus, he did not stop her. In fact, Jesus said to all those present that Mary had done a beautiful thing (Mark 14:6). The beauty was in the extravagant act of surrender, the uninhibited display of affection for her Lord. It was a personal and costly gift, not a generic one.

How can we personally worship God? Again, we can look at all of the instructions for worship in the Psalms. These instructions are not only for the gathered worship context. For our personal times of worship should be filled with the activity of surrender. In these times, we can sing, shout, declare, kneel, and praise - to name several activities. Our "quiet times" with God are often too quiet. Let them be full of life and action in his presence. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." (Psalm 100:4 NIV) It is in these times of personal surrender before the Lord that we grow in the knowledge of God. In these times, we understand more of the height and depth of his love for us (Eph. 3:18). We gain vision for the future and wisdom for our relationships. All of this comes through meeting with God in the place of personal worship. God's blessing is abundant as we obediently step into his courts with our praise.

Take a moment to consider giving God a fresh sacrifice. We are reminded often in the Psalms about singing to the Lord a "new song." (Psa. 33:3) This is the fresh sacrifice. What new time could you give him? What new physical expression could you show him in worship? What amount of money could you sacrifice for him? What new song or joyful noise could you bring before him? He is waiting for your sacrifice, your personal gift of extravagant love. What will you bring?

For More Study
  • Genesis 22
  • Psalm 98
  • Mark 14:1-11
  • Luke 10:38-42

Thoughts and Questions for Application
  1. God cares about his family and his individual child. That's why he wants your worship in both contexts. When you are alone with God, how personal are you in your expression of worship to him?
  2. Take some time to ask God for his input on your quiet times? How could they become more active… more focused on personal surrender?
  3. What fresh sacrifice could you give to Jesus?

Memorization

Psalms 98:1 - "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." (NIV)