Worship: A Glorious Encounter with God

Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’
Exodus 33:18 (NRSV)

Several years ago, thousands of church-going Christians were asked the question: “Have you ever experienced God in a worship service?” Surprisingly, only one-third of those surveyed said that they regularly experience God in church. Many of these same people claimed that the church was doing very little to help people meet God. It also seems that
these people thought that true, life-changing encounters with the living God were missing from many places of worship.

One of the greatest needs among churches today is not new programs, a new seminar, or a new study. What is needed today is an encounter with God. We desperately need a life-changing glimpse of the greatness, the awesomeness, the wonder, the power, the mercy, the goodness, and the loving-kindness of God. And all of this must occur when we gather
for worship. We know that worship involves declaring the worth of God, but it also involves meeting Him. Robert E. Webber, in his book Worship Old and New, says worship is “a meeting between God and his people.” Worship does not lead to an encounter with God; it is an encounter with God.

When Moses was given the opportunity to meet with God (Exodus 33), Moses modeled the heart of a true worshipper. During this encounter, Moses asked that God reveal His ways (v.13) and also reveal His glory (v. 18). These requests are manifestations of Moses’ longing and hunger for God. Moses realized that nothing else in the world could compare to the
experience of being with God. Moses had a passion for His presence. It is this kind of hunger and longing that transforms worship from a duty to devotion, from a ritual to a relationship, from just another meeting to a holy gathering. God’s attendance in our lives and our experience of Him is the essence of real worship.

There are many things that we can do to enrich our worship life and enhance our ability to encounter and experience God when we gather together for worship. Here are five simple, but life-changing, actions that we should strive to do:

• Anticipate God’s revealed presence in worship. Expect Him. Long for Him.
• Look for God’s hand at work in worship.
• Listen for God’s voice.
• Open yourself up to new manifestations of God’s presence.
• Be sensitive to the leadership of God’s Spirit.

Our task as a church is to take the necessary efforts to make our worship an experience instead of a mere ceremonial rite. Worship must be an encounter. We must encounter God so that He can encounter and engage us for His service.
May the Lord lead us to more meaningful worship and more meaningful encounters with Him. May the blessings of the Triune God remain and abide with us all!

With love and prayers,
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Vicar, Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church
Connecticut