What Worship Looks Like

Worship is about what’s in your heart; but don’t forget about what’s in your hands.

Exodus 16 tells about the hands of the Israelites in the wilderness. They only needed a couple of quarts of manna per day, per family — but these hands gathered double and even triple that amount.

Moses and Aaron connected the dots between these hands and their worship. The hearts of hoarders were not set to worship God. In fact, they were far from it.

So, how can our hands help us clarify our worship?

First, remember worship is always happening, every single day. It’s why Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, NIV)

For some of the Israelites, their treasure was manna. More manna meant more living, so they piled up as many fistfuls as they could. It didn’t matter that God had provided the manna in the first place. They held on to whatever they thought could preserve their security and health.

As a reminder of worship properly placed, God instructed Moses to place two quarts of manna alongside the law in the tabernacle. As the Israelites took possession of Canaan – a land flowing with milk and honey – they would regularly link God’s presence (the tabernacle) to His provision (daily bread and the law).

For us, this link is made through Jesus Christ, God’s perfect provision for His people. In His name, our worship is the culmination of what Jesus promised, “Yet a time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth…” (John 4:23, NIV)

So what’s found in your hands when times are desperate? To whom or what are they clutching when you’re alone and afraid? To what do you reach for assurance that you’re going to be okay?

Your answers reveal what your worship looks like.