Generally in many churches and Christian get togethers, we see a time set aside for praise and worship and sometimes it ends up becoming an act of singing songs, raising hands, clapping and dancing (for some). While there is nothing wrong with the outward expression of our emotions in such setting, we ought to be careful to not get caught up in the deception that worship is about outward expressions or actions.

Genesis 22:5 gives the account of what Abraham told the young men (possibly servants) who accompanied him and Isaac, as he went to sacrifice his son, as God had commanded him to. It reads “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.”

Though this text may seem as a mere conversation, the gravity of what was being expressed is in essence extremely profound. Abraham was verbalizing his faith and acting on it, but instead he refers to it as “worship.” In fact, this is the first time the very word “worship” is mentioned in the Bible and it is used in conjunction with not only faith but accompanying action. Worship is an outward action of our inward faith – it is from within – where we worship God in our Spirit.

Points to ponder: 
From this account, not only can we learn that true worship is about God and not us or anything we do or express. Worship is obeying God and doing what he commands us to do. Expressing our faith not merely in words but in action, by obeying God’s commandments, is worship. Obedience indeed is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) – which is a gesture of worship (Romans 12:2). Are you and I true worshippers – worshipping God from within – in our Spirit?

Genesis 22:5 (KJV)
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.