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Why Does God Need Our Worship?

                I have an answer for the question above.  It may not be the answer you expect, but it is true.  Consider Matthew 14. 
                The chapter begins with John the Baptist’s beheading.  Verse 13 notes that “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place”.  However, the crowds followed, and he spent the day teaching and healing (verse 14).  As evening approached, Jesus miraculously fed the crowd of 5000 plus, and then told the disciples to get back in the boat while he spent some time praying (verses 15-22). 
                During a stormy night, Jesus came to them, walking on the water.  Peter decided that he would like to try that too.  You likely know how that turned out (verses 28-31).
                After Peter’s rescue, we are told that, “When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down” (verse 32).  This is the second time that a storm on the Sea of Galilee was suddenly stilled. The first time, the disciples were confused and asked, “What king of man is this?  Even the winds and the wave obey him!” (Matthew 8:27).
                This time, their reaction was different: “Those who were in the boat worshipped him and said, ‘Truly you are the Son of God!’” (verse 33).
                The disciples worshipped because they finally got it!  They saw who Jesus was and they understood their place by comparison.  They worshipped him because it was the only response that made any sense.
                So, why does God need your worship? 
                The answer:  He doesn’t!  The creator of the universe is not some insecure 13-year-old that needs a world full of people worshipping him so that he feels good about himself.
                God does not need our worship; We do!
                We need to worship because it reminds us who is in charge.  We need to worship because it counteracts our self-interested motivations.  We need to worship so that we stop getting and start giving.  We need to worship so that we are transformed (Romans 12:1-2).
                When we neglect worship, whether formally on Sunday morning or privately every day of the week, it is an indication that we have forgotten something important.  We have forgotten who God is and where we fit in his creation.
                Worship must be focused on God, but it is for our benefit.

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