S95P4 – Our acts of worship: serving others
Heb. 13:15-16
Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
He came from a long line of traditionalists, but he thought of things much differently than they. His family was about legacy and reputation. They were known for their position in the community and their track record of civil mindedness, but he wanted to blaze his own trail. There was something about him that just wanted to go against the grain, to be his own man and do his own thing. When Dad got sick, that was when he was faced with a critical decision. He could carve out the life he wanted, or he could continue in the family legacy. The hope was that he would carry on his father’s work, lending his hands to serve the community and simultaneously honor his father.
Worship brings pleasure to the heart of God. Being good to others and sharing with them is a way to worship God by being like him, and it certainly pleases him when we carry on his legacy. Our Father in heaven is the one who provides and protects. He is the one who keeps the poor and shields the weak. When we extend our hands in provision to others, we are really being his hands and doing his work. That is the legacy his Son carried on while He walked the Earth. That is the legacy we are called to continue now that He has ascended to his rightful place. Allowing the Spirit to work through us and make us Christ-like in our service to others honors our Father, the great provider.
We have the same option as any child. We can try to blaze our own trails in this world, or we can continue in this great family legacy. It is a family into which we have been grafted by grace, and it is a privilege to serve as our Lord has served and continues to serve. We worship God in our service because it pleases him to see us generously give that which He has given us. In doing so, we give him the glory by directing the eyes of mankind to him and his generosity. Every sacrifice of service to others brings him joy at seeing himself in his children. Father, keep us mindful of how You have dealt so generously with us that we would deal as generously with all whom we serve in worship.