Today’s 333 Devotional: “Worship Reveals Our Unworthiness”

While our worship of God is not only what we say and sing unto the Lord, but also in what we do and how we do it. In other words, our worship of God covers everything we do and say, and that everything we do and say should be an extension of our worship of God.

But also, when we worship God, it brings our own unworthiness into the light.

St. Augustine said, “Before God can deliver us from ourselves, we must undeceive ourselves.”

Worship helps us understand that we are sinners, and of our need to seek God’s forgiveness. In Isaiah’s vision, after the angels’ proclamation of God’s holiness and almighty power, Isaiah cries out in confession.

“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5)

We cannot come into the presence of God without first becoming aware of His holiness, and then of our own unworthiness.

Paul said, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

As people with a fallen and corrupt nature, and who have fallen short of God’s glory, that is, short of God’s holy and righteous standard for life, it’s impossible for us to approach God’s presence without being aware of our own sinfulness.

Therefore, when we have that encounter with God, it should never lead to a feeling of spiritual superiority, but rather it should lead to humility, where like Isaiah we gladly receive God’s forgiveness, and God’s cleansing touch (Isaiah 6:6-7).

Talking about our sinful condition, the Apostle John said, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)