2 Kings 17-18, John 3:19-36 • Key Verse: 2 Kings 17:28

In a general sense, worship comes naturally to us. We do know how to worship—that is, to respond to someone or something with praise. We respond to a beautiful sunset, a tasty dessert or a winning team. Our struggle with worship comes when we worship God. Unfortunately, that worship does not come naturally.

When the king of Assyria resettled Samaria, the people did not worship the Lord and were judged by God for that. “So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the Lord” (17:28). Worship did not come naturally, so the people had to Be taught how.

But even with teaching, they failed to worship God correctly. Each group made its own gods and worshiped them also. “Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols” (v. 41).

Genuine worship must be learned. It is not a matter of what we like but what God wants. He will not share worship with other gods.

Take the naturalness of worship but conform it to the Word. Direct your worship to God alone in the manner that pleases Him. He desires worship and seeks worshipers. And if you desire to be a worshiper who pleases Him, then learn to worship.

_“God, I want to worship You in the way that pleases You. Help me to learn to become a worshiper who brings You joy. ”_

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in