April 2026

Worship: What is it?

When we think about worship, our minds usually go to singing, gathering together, or moments of celebration. But the Bible introduces worship in a very different way.

The first time the word “worship” appears is in Genesis 22:5. Abraham is on a journey with his son Isaac, heading to the place where God has asked him to offer his son as a sacrifice. Before going up the mountain, Abraham tells his servants, “Stay here… I and the boy will go over there and worship, and come again to you.”

That first mention is striking. Worship is not described as music or a service. It is described as surrender and humility.

Abraham calls it worship while preparing to give up what matters most to him. There is no choir, no altar call, no celebration. Just obedience. Costly, difficult, unwavering obedience. From the very beginning, Scripture makes it clear that worship is not just something we say or sing. It is something we live.

This moment also points us forward. Just as Abraham was willing to offer his son, God would one day give His Son for us. What Abraham was asked to do, God actually did.

So what does that mean for us? Worship is more than a Sunday experience. It is a daily posture of the heart. It is trusting God when it doesn’t make sense, obeying when it’s hard, and surrendering what we would rather hold on to. Worship done correctly would involve us being more uncomfortable than having goosebumps.

Real worship begins with surrender. That kind of worship still honors God today.