Live Dead Joy: 30 Days of Living and Dying with JesusSample

“Costly Worship”

Isaac was not the first son God asked Abraham to surrender. Abraham had already grieved the loss of Ishmael, a pain worse than death. God called Isaac “your only one,” a reference to the most important person in Abraham’s life, his future, his hope, his joy, his treasure. This is true worship—to give up that which costs us everything.

When we seek to move past singing and verbal praise as our standard for worship to offering up what is most precious, it is imperative to remember that God gives what it hurts most to return. Isaac was the miracle baby, the child who brought laughter, and the shame buster. God gave Isaac, and God asked for Isaac back. We do not have to manufacture costly worship. We simply return to Jesus the most precious thing (or persons) that He has loaned to us. Our God will provide for Himself our costly worship.

Costly worship delights the heart of God. Not because He is twisted and derives His greatest joy from our deepest sorrows, but because when we give up what is precious to us we declare to Jesus: “You are most precious. You are above all others.”

When we delight the heart of God, He blesses us. His blessings are not to be confused with or limited to possessions or persons. His blessings are an invitation into His person, character, and purposes. He blesses us by using us to bless the nations. A supreme reward for costly worship is participation in God’s grand mission to be worshiped by every people group on earth. Our blessing is to be a blessing to all nations. Our reward for costly worship is participation in the divine nature and mission of God.

Pray for the Unreached:

Ndizani Muslims of Comoros

336,000

0.2% Evangelical

Pray that the hearts of the Ndizani would be like good soil, ready to hear the gospel and to respond (Matt. 7:1-8, 18-23).