Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

Growing up, I often heard the phrase, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” My mother instilled this principle in us as we rushed through our chores. She would always come behind us to ensure everything was completed correctly; if not, we would have to do it again. This spirit of diligence has stayed with me throughout my life, especially in my walk as a follower of Christ.

As believers, we are called to worship God and declare His greatness, but how do we ensure that we are doing it right? The story in 2 Samuel 24 teaches us a profound lesson about the nature of true worship through the life of King David.

In this passage, David made a grave mistake by disobeying God and conducting a census of Israel, an act that God had explicitly prohibited. It may seem trivial, but as we learn, disobedience has consequences. God presented David with three options for punishment: three years of famine, three years of fleeing from his enemies, or three days of plague. David chose the plague, and unfortunately, this decision led to the death of 70,000 Israelites.

Feeling compelled to seek God’s mercy, David went to build an altar on the threshing floor of a man named Araunah. Here, Araunah offered David the land for free, but David responded firmly. In 2 Samuel 24:24, he stated, “No, I will buy it for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” This declaration underscores a critical truth about worship: it requires sacrifice.

David understood that true worship must cost him something. He was willing to pay the price because he desired to give his best to God. This raises an important question for us as Christians: Are we willing to pay the price in our worship?

The value we place on our worship is reflected in what we invest in it. Do we only engage in worship when it’s easy, during seasons of blessing and prosperity? Or do we remain steadfast in our worship even when life presents challenges and lacks? True worship isn’t merely about music or gatherings; it’s about how we live our lives.
In Romans 12:1, we are called to be “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing

to God.” This means that worship extends far beyond a Sunday service; it’s woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, requiring our time, resources, and devotion.
As we reflect on David’s story, let us ask ourselves: Are we genuinely willing to offer sacrifices in our worship? Are we ready to serve God with our whole hearts in both good times and bad?

Worship is a lifestyle, rooted in humility and devotion. It’s in our sacrifices that we demonstrate our love and commitment to the One who deserves our all. Today, let’s commit to live our lives in such a way that our worship reflects our gratitude and reverence, honoring God for who He is—regardless of our circumstances.