worship?

what do you think about when you think of the word worship?

it's possible that your first thought might be singing. it might be prayer. it might be sweet, alone time with God.

i came across something in my reading the other day that just struck me in regards to worship and i thought i would share.

i was reading in Matthew 15:25 in the king james version (which i only mention, because of the wording in this version for this verse). you are probably familiar with the story, as i am. it is where a woman of Canaan comes seeking Jesus because her daughter has a demon.
the first thing that i found interesting is that she comes to him and it says she "cried unto him, saying Have mercy on me, O Lord..."
this is Jesus' response.

"But he answered her not a word"

hmm..interesting. this implies that he did hear her. why do you think he would not answer her a word? i don't really know, but she apparently continued crying out.
because it got a little irritating to the disciples to the point that they came to Jesus and said "send her away; for she crieth after us"

so picture it. they are probably just walking, and this woman is crying after them. begging for mercy. for help. Jesus is silent to her!! so what does she do? she continues crying after Him.

that is something to be thinking about right there. how many times have i cried out and had Jesus not answer me a word? probably many. so what are my options? pout? doubt God? take matters in to my own hands?
but then, i'm probably the only one who has ever responded like that, right? :D

here is the second thing that struck me.

verse 25. "Then came she and worshiped him saying Lord, help me."

wait, what? let me re-read that. did i miss something?
she worshiped him by saying Lord, help me???
that's worship??

this was just what i needed, because i was going through a time of complete confusion, and just discouragement. and to be honest, i can feel like a "Lord, help me" can be selfish, or too needy. but when you think about it, crying out in that way is showing God that

1. you can't help yourself

2. you are putting your trust in HIM alone

is that what you normally think of when you consider worshiping God?
i know i hadn't thought of that before.

i recently received an ipod (so grateful to the giver :)) and i was in the living room after everyone was asleep and cranked the song "i will lift my eyes" by bebo norman.
i just lifted my hands and sang. it felt good, it felt like i was worshiping God! and i was.
but the times when i am feeling discouraged and alone, and like i can not possibly sing a song, i can still worship.
i can be driving, walking, kneeling down and just say over and over "Lord, help me" and that can be worship!

i needed that. that day when i read this, i literally prayed that prayer the entire day. i didn't even know words to pray, i felt like i had nothing in me. so i just asked for help. i know where my help comes from, and i am choosing to put any trust i have in myself over to Him.

maybe you are there. feeling tired, discouraged or alone. maybe you've been crying out to Him and he has "answerd you not a word" i don't know what the reason is, but continue crying out! don't give up!
worship God. tell Him you need help. He knows anyways, and He WILL help!

the story goes on to say that Jesus says to this woman "great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt."
And her daughter was made well from that very hour.
amazing.
because we serve an amazing, personal, powerful God.