“Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:2-3 NKJV
Serving God is the purpose of our lives, for we did not create ourselves. (Ecclesiastes 12:13, Revelations 4:11). However, it is also the highest privilege of our lives (Philippians 1:29), hence, we ought to approach our service to God with a sense of obligation and with great delight.
To serve God is to worship, honour, obey, and acknowledge His sovereignty. Acts 17:24-25 reminds us, “God, the Lord of heaven and earth, is not worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” When we serve Him, we fulfil the very purpose of our existence.
We serve God because He alone is worthy of honour and praise (1 Timothy 1:17, Deuteronomy 6:13). Worship is our heartfelt response to God’s goodness and grace, a demonstration of a heart of consecration to Him. Hence, worship is not confined only to praying or singing during church gatherings; it encompasses every aspect of our lives. It is a lifestyle whereby our every thought, word, and action glorify Him as they are offered with a devoted heart.
Every moment in life offers a chance to worship and honour God. We bring Him glory by approaching everything we do to exalt Him. As the Apostle Paul teaches, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). By inviting God into every aspect of our lives, even the simplest tasks transform into sacred acts of worship and devotion.
The Bible teaches that worship must be done in spirit and truth. Jesus said “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). True worship goes beyond outward expressions; it cannot be limited to honouring God with our lips while our hearts remain distant (Matthew 15:8). Such worship is empty and meaningless. Instead, we are called to serve Him with our whole hearts, approaching Him with sincerity, humility, and reverence.
Moreover, worship without obedience is empty. True worship is demonstrated through our trust and reverence for God, expressed by living in obedience to His will. As Scripture reminds us, “… to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). God seeks hearts fully surrendered to Him in genuine obedience, not merely through outward rituals.
To serve and honour God means to live in a way that reflects His goodness and directs others to His greatness. Revelation 4:11 declares, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” When we serve God with a heart of worship and obedience, we affirm His rightful place in our lives, testify to His majesty and honour His sovereignty.
Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 13-15; Matthew 19:23-20:16