Back to a Heart of Worship
by John Rogers
In 1999, Matt Redman wrote one of the most cherished worship songs of all time–"The Heart of Worship." In this song, Redman comes to God in confession. He confesses that, even in the midst of worldwide fame, riches, and a successful worship ministry, all he really has that is pleasing to God is Jesus. He’s sorry, he cries, for what he has turned worship into. And then he utters his humble understanding that what God actually requires of him is not another “song in itself,” but of Matt himself.
I think Abram came to the same understanding in Genesis 13. When we see him enter the promised land in chapter 12, verses 7 and 8 tell us that he built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord. Gordon J. Wenham says, “God’s gracious promise prompted Abram to repeated acts of thankful worship.” Abram had a heart of worship.
We then find him in chapter 12 verses 10-20 at one of his lowest times spiritually and geographically. We see him walking away from the land of promise, walking in fear and anxiety, and therefore walking in deceit and a desire only for himself. But in chapter 13 we see him, like Redman and many countless others since the release of that song, come back to a heart of worship.
Genesis 13:1-4 says:
So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first (see chapter 12:7-8). And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD.
Abram came back to a heart of worship. And because of this we see him no longer walking in fear, anxiety, deceit, or desire for himself. Rather we see a man walking in faith, security, benevolence, and a desire for peace.
Where is your heart today? If you’re not sure, spend some time after reading this in a time of silence and ask the Lord, “Lord, search me and know me, try me and know my anxious thoughts. For…
You search much deeper within,
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart.
Bring me back to a heart of worship.
I think Abram came to the same understanding in Genesis 13. When we see him enter the promised land in chapter 12, verses 7 and 8 tell us that he built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord. Gordon J. Wenham says, “God’s gracious promise prompted Abram to repeated acts of thankful worship.” Abram had a heart of worship.
We then find him in chapter 12 verses 10-20 at one of his lowest times spiritually and geographically. We see him walking away from the land of promise, walking in fear and anxiety, and therefore walking in deceit and a desire only for himself. But in chapter 13 we see him, like Redman and many countless others since the release of that song, come back to a heart of worship.
Genesis 13:1-4 says:
So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first (see chapter 12:7-8). And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD.
Abram came back to a heart of worship. And because of this we see him no longer walking in fear, anxiety, deceit, or desire for himself. Rather we see a man walking in faith, security, benevolence, and a desire for peace.
Where is your heart today? If you’re not sure, spend some time after reading this in a time of silence and ask the Lord, “Lord, search me and know me, try me and know my anxious thoughts. For…
You search much deeper within,
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart.
Bring me back to a heart of worship.
More from the blog:
Is This Your King?
March 27th, 2025
It was 2018. An estranged descendant of an African kingdom challenged the reigning king for the throne by engaging in a fight. The rules were simple: kill your opponent, and the victor would become king. While mercy could be shown, it was something the opposition never knew. The challenger had trained his whole life for this moment. Humiliating the king in front of his own people, he defeated him ...
Jesus, the Scrutinizing Light
March 18th, 2025
When I think of Jesus being “the light” (John 8:12), I honestly tend to only think of him as an illuminating light. What I mean by that is that I tend to only think of him as one who enlightens. And one who imparts wisdom and understanding. As one who strictly makes known the way, the truth, and the life. And if we follow this enlightening light, we will not walk in darkness, but have a greater un...
It's All Love
March 11th, 2025
I lived in my childhood home from my very first memory all the way through graduating high school. I could recreate in great detail every feature of this home; the color of the kitchen island, the design of the wallpaper in the bathroom, I could even tell you what sound the stairs made as you walked up them. But the most unique part of this home was the eclectic decor. I think my parents’ overall ...
Recent
Archive
2025
February
2024
March
April
September
October
2023
April
May
July
August
October
November
2022
2021
No Comments