“Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls.” (rf. Jer. 6:16 MEV)
In the past few decades, the way that Christians worship God has been changed dramatically. What used to be a very reverent time of coming before the Lord with prayers, praise, honor and adoration has in many cases morphed into a time to engage in an emotional display of upbeat music and visible expression, akin to what one would see in a modern rock concert. Where one expected to “have one’s feet stepped on” by the clear preaching and teaching of God’s Word has been replaced by inspirational messages designed to make one feel good about one’s life and to receive affirmation from God. Though this change does not speak of all of Christianity; however, it is an accurate reflection of how much the faith and our worship of God has adapted to fit the present culture. Overall, our adaptations have not been positive contributions.
Indeed, what we have done in the recent past will eventually come to haunt us as we move into the future. As Hosea states in 8:7, “they sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind.” Truly, in time to come, American Christians will find that they have lost a great deal by following the ways of the world and the culture. They will have lost their appreciation for biblically based authority because they found the source of authority within themselves, making decisions on what they want or like, instead of what God desires. They will have lost decorum and protocol, choosing personal comfort and “dressing down”, rather than being at one’s best in attitude and appearance, coming in worship before the King of kings. They will have lost their hearing, believing that loud music in worship gets God’s attention while physical feeling of the music is prerequisite to their joy and ability to worship, rather than understanding that God is not deaf to His people nor does His Holy Spirit speak to His people in loudness but in “a still small voice” (rf. I Kings 19:12) which can only be heard when His people are quiet. God wants His people to worship Him on His terms and not their own. True worship is not about us being emotionally or physicallly charged up; it’s totally about us being in humility and quietness before Him.
The “old paths” referenced above speak of the previously confirmed ways that God would have His people live and worship, ways in which the Lord has already shown His pleasure. Nothing about our relationship and adoration of God is left for us to decide. From the beginning to the end of time, God alone calls the shots on how He operates and how He desires for His people to live and worship. Hopefully, modern Christianity will appropriate this truth sooner than later and make the changes necessary that align our actions with His desires. If so, His blessings will soon follow when He sees His people obedient to His will and directions.
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