Worship Devotional - "Movement Toward God"

Key Scripture: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." - James 4:8

Reflection

The New Testament Greek word for worship is "proskuneo," formed from the prefix "pros," meaning "in front of someone or in the direction of someone," and the verb "kuneo," which means "to kiss." This word has been defined as a prostration, falling down to one's knees, to worship, adore, revere—to move towards with the intention to kiss.

The New Testament concept of worship involves movement and intimacy. God initiated His love toward us; He moved toward us first because He is love. It was God's love that found us and freed us. Worship is now our move toward God, expressing our love to Him for finding us and freeing us.

Worship is our reaction to His act of love. The more we know of God's love, the more we will want to worship. The essence of fellowship is the continual flow of love that we receive from God and the continual flow of worship that God receives from us. We can never worship too much as a response to His infinite love.

The Scripture in James 4:8 tells us to "draw near" and literally means to join yourself with another through close contact. Don't be frightened to move into this kind of experience with God, or you will fall short of the intimacy He has planned for you and the results it will bring.

Today's Challenge

Worship today as movement. Physically position yourself—kneel, bow, lift your hands—as an outward expression of your heart moving toward God. Let your body participate in the spiritual act of drawing near.

Prayer

Lord, I move toward You today. You moved toward me first in love, and now I respond with worship. I draw near to You, trusting that You will draw near to me. Meet me in this place of intimacy as I move in Your direction. Amen.