True and false worshippers: Living word devotional by Pastor Mensa Otabil

LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Wednesday 22nd December 2021

TRUE AND FALSE WORSHIPPERS

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” Matthew 2:7-8

Herod had no intention to worship the newborn King. He wanted the infant Jesus to be killed before He would grow to be of any threat. His words said something that was very different from his true desires. Both the wisemen and Herod spoke of worshipping Jesus, but their hearts were not in the same place. The wisemen were sincere; Herod was insincere.

We have those two expressions in the church today. There are those who speak of worshipping the Lord sincerely and those who do so deceptively. While some behave as hypocrites, professing what is at variance with their actions, there are others who say what they mean about their devotion to God.

*• True worshippers are God chasers.* Like the wise men, they go by themselves in pursuit of the Lord. They don’t outsource serving God to others. They know how to personally study the scriptures, pray and hear from God. They are truly committed to the things of God.

True worshippers are led by their desire to know the Lord and honour Him. They make the effort to know Him for themselves. The wisemen were so focused on finding Jesus that the distance they had to travel to find Him did not matter to them. Their actions typify how true worshippers behave.

*• False worshippers are self-chasers.* Like Herod, they sit in the comfort of their homes and palaces and send others to go and search for the Lord for them. They rely on others to study and interpret the scriptures for them. They outsource the growth of their spiritual lives to others. They don’t know God for themselves.

False worshippers are led by their fears and insecurities. Herod was afraid of what the birth of Christ would mean for his political power. He was worried about losing all the privileges that his position brought him.

What kind of worshipper are you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I have set my heart to seek and find you. Draw me close to your side and teach me your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.