How often do we just do lip service when we sing our praises to the lord? I know I catch myself doing it more often than I would like. There could be a variety of different reasons that could keep you partially distracted during worship time, but it's very important that we clear our heads and bring our hearts to not God and not just singing the words.
I'm starting this series based after the song that perfectly describes it. We need to come back to the heart of worship as God looks at hearts when we sing not really the fact that we showed up and can follow along to a hymn. My first post last month was about some Tips on Getting into Our Worship Time and this month we will begin with our first song.
In this series we will look into each song. We will go over the lyrics and back it up with scripture. We will also look into the history of the song and any interesting facts about it. Finally, I will share my thoughts on the song and how I personally relate to it and what I get out of it. I encourage you to share what you get out of it as well such as a deeper meaning you have to the song or a lyric that strikes a chord with you.
So let’s begin...
Heart of Worship is a song written by Matt Redman. He penned the song in the late 1990s when his church was going through a rough patch when they were struggling with their musical outpouring. "Reminding his church family to be producers in worship, not just consumers, the pastor, Mike Pilavachi, asked, 'When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?'” (1) After silence it led parishioners to begin singing and praying aloud.
Redman wasn't even sure the song would leave his bedroom after he wrote it, but we are sure glad it did as it became a national anthem to be adapted as covers by many other artists since. My favorite version is by Tommee Profitt and McKenna Sabin. It's slow and stripped down melody and music video really emphasize the lyrics of the song. There are many different versions and covers and I encourage you to check out some on YouTube to find your favorite.
The Lyrics
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
There are quite a few verses that back up this song and I think the most relevant one is Isaiah 29:13, which is also referenced by Jesus later in Matthew 15:8 and Mark 7:6.
"And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote." Isaiah 29:13 NLT
1 Samuel 16:7 is about God leading the prophet Samuel to the next King of Israel (David) when he talks about how God looks at the heart and not outward appearance.
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
"People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart." Proverbs 21:2
Other Related Scriptures:
Psalms 51:10
Jeremiah 17:10
Psalm 26:2
Romans 10:10
Connection
In our faith and walk with God, He looks at our heart and motives. We can even lie to ourselves about our true motives, but God isn't fooled.
When I listen to this song it can truly bring me to tears. We all get so caught up in life and we can get all caught up in trying to be a good Christian that we forget that God doesn't require more than our heart. "Longing just to bring/Something that's of worth/That will bless Your heart" That is why He gave us free will - because He wants us to choose Him like He has already chosen us. It blesses God's heart when we give Him ours.
When we come to worship him, we need to bring more than just the words that pass our lips, we need to bring our love for God and be mindfully present with Him. The song should bubble up from your spirit. Yes I know this can be hard to do and some songs that truly resonate with you will makes it easier, but we need to put in the effort.
I also want to make note of the apology in this song. We apologize to Jesus for not coming to worship correctly. I believe this song would follow under a prayer of confession for when we ask God to forgive us for our wrongdoing. It's a great song to confess, repent, and refocus on Jesus.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I really hope you found it uplifting to your soul. Please like and subscribe to either my website or Youtube channel to not miss out on future posts like this one. Have a blessed day!
(1) https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-matt-redmans-the-heart-of-worship-1253122.html
Comments