John 4:19-21,23-24 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

Let's process these two aspects of true worship, which are spirit and truth through these old school songs, bearing in mind that we humans process information through images, according to Shane Willard. For example, think of any of your children or your parents right now. What comes to mind is the image of the person.

 

Song 1

Ps 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Today, we have made a song out of this Psalm that takes away from the truth of true worship.

 

Song 2

Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land

Psalms 137:1-4 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion. We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it. For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land?

 

If our songs and worship of God are melodies and sayings that convey the truth, then who says we shouldn't sing the Lord's song in a strange land? The children of Isreal under captivity in Babylon did not realise that God could still be with them even in a strange land or situation and that singing the Lord's song could disempower the enemy. They failed to take advantage of who they truly are.

The walls of Jericho fell flat when, on Joshua's leading, the priests went ahead of the children of God, blowing the trumpets and then the great shout on the seventh day. These happened in a strange land.

Daniel sang the Lord's song in a strange land.

 

Let's not limit this message to geographical locations or songs only. Strange land can also be a strange situation for you where the devil has come to kill, steal, and destroy the blessings God has given you. The truth of God's Word must be spoken about yourself in that situation, be it in words, songs, or character.

 

Paul & Silas sang the Lord's song in a strange situation after being beaten and imprisoned with their feet fastened with chains. The prison gates were broken and they eventually regained their freedom.

David spoke the trust about who he truly was in an otherwise terrifying situation and brought down Goliath.

 

To say or be melodious and emotional in our songs, and to live our everyday lives devoid of the truth of God's Word for you in a strange land or situation is a lie of the devil and never a true worship of God. For true worship is not about the melody of your song, not about emotions, singing or dancing; it has to be according to the Word.

 

True worship is not good conscience.

God sees and is attracted to a good conscience but He seeks those that will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Acts 10 tells us about Cornelius the centurion who was remembered by God for his generousity, prayers and devotion to God. However God sought to have Cornelius worship Him from the perspective of the truth hence, Peter was sent to Cornelius's household to receive Jesus Christ and be baptised by the Holy Spirit.