A worship service like no other

In Isaiah 6, Isaiah describes what happened to him when he went to a worship service. It was a time of great difficulty in the nation because the long reign of King Uzziah had come to an end. For most of his reign, Uzziah had acted righteously. No one would know at that time how his successor would rule.

 

What happened to Isaiah when he went to worship? First, he became aware of the greatness of God. The word ‘holy’ is not easy to explain by other words. It includes the ideas of elevation above all things, perfection in every way, and separation from all that is sinful. God must be worshipped for his uniqueness, which is why idolatry and indifference to his glory are great sins.

 

Second, Isaiah was reminded of his imperfection and of the imperfection of everyone else. In contrast to other nations, Judah would have been seen as different because they had God’s temple and other things that he had given to them. In contrast to God, Judah was full of sinners, including Isaiah. What happened when he was reminded of his sins? He felt their awfulness in contrast to God’s holiness.

 

Third, Isaiah received cleansing from heaven. His cleansing is described in ways suitable to a person participating in a temple worship service at that time. For us, it is a reminder that cleansing comes from Jesus who shed his blood on the cross in order for cleansing to be constantly available for those who trust in him.

 

Fourth, Isaiah received a task to perform for God. He was called to be a prophet. We too are expected to serve God, and often in times of worship he reminds us of our responsibilities to do so.

What does God want from us?

What does God want from us as his people? The place to find the answer to that question is in the Bible. It provides a very clear answer. God wants worship from us. This is the case wherever we look in the Scriptures and it remains his desire throughout all periods of history. Here are some examples.

When God made humans at the beginning, they were designed to worship him. Indeed, the account of the garden in Eden in Genesis is a description of a temple in which God met with Adam and Eve. Even after they rebelled against him, he quickly revealed to them how they could worship him through the promise of a future Deliverer.

Later on, God created a nation in which worship of him was central. Israel, after they were delivered from Egypt, went to Mount Sinai to worship God. Bizarrely, while they were there they chose to worship an idol, the golden calf. Nevertheless, God gave them instructions connected to his worship and it was practised in the tabernacle and the temple.

When Jesus was here on earth, he informed the woman of Samaria that the Father sought worship from people like her. Paul and his fellow workers preached the gospel so that sinners would turn from idolatry and worship God instead. After they had embraced the gospel they became members of churches in which worship was offered to God. Again we find in the New Testament letters that among those who should have worshipped him some did not always do so.

Will God have a time and a place where perfect worship is given? We know that he will. The pictures we are given of heaven is that it is a place of worship. In the world to come, there will be perfect worship of God because sin will be gone. The Lord will have what he desires and will be satisfied. And so will we if we find ourselves there, made perfect in holiness and glad to be in his presence.

We know that we have not reached that world yet. Instead, we exist in churches with flaws and failures and disappointments. Should we delay worshipping until the perfect situation arrives? Of course not. Instead we worship the One who forgives and restores, who guides and comforts, who sends his Spirit to reveal to us the things of Christ and to give us anticipations of the glory that all his people will share. These reasons for worshipping will be there every time we gather together as believers in Jesus.