AVOID BEING LATE TO WORSHIP

by esther phinias | 24 August 2022 08:46 pm08

Key Principles for Honoring God in the House of Worship – Part 2

(With theological insights and Scripture references in NKJV)

The Importance of Punctuality in Worship

Being late to a worship service may seem like a minor issue to some, but from a biblical and spiritual standpoint, it speaks volumes about our reverence for God. Scripture teaches us to honor God not only with our lips but with our actions, priorities, and time.

In Malachi 1:6 (NKJV), God says:

A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?

Showing up late to worship is one way we unintentionally fail to give God the honor He is due.

A Sobering Example: Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11)

The account of Ananias and Sapphira provides a powerful example of how dishonesty and lack of spiritual attentiveness can lead to judgment:

Acts 5:1–5 (NKJV)

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it…

Peter confronts them for lying to the Holy Spirit, and both fall dead as a result of their deceit.

What’s especially striking is verse 7:

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

This verse highlights that Sapphira was not present at the beginning of the church gathering. Had she been there, she would have known what happened to her husband. Her delayed arrival cost her the opportunity to repent. Timing in spiritual matters matters deeply.

Theological Insight: God’s Presence Is Timely and Holy

Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates that His presence and blessings often manifest at specific times:

Exodus 19:10–11 (NKJV): God told Moses to consecrate the people and prepare them in advance because He would descend on Mount Sinai on the third day.

Luke 1:8–11 (NKJV): Zechariah encountered the angel of the Lord while he was on time and in position performing priestly duties.

These examples underscore a pattern: God meets people who are prepared, punctual, and reverent.

Spiritual Consequences of Being Late

Being late may cause you to miss:

Corporate repentance or consecration prayers that open the service

Worship that invites the manifest presence of God

Spiritual impartation or prophetic words released early in the gathering

Lamentations 3:22–23 (NKJV) says:

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning…

If God is ready with new mercies each morning, we should be ready to receive them.

The Alpha and the Omega Principle

Revelation 22:13 (NKJV):

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

If God identifies Himself as the beginning and the end, then our full participation in worship—from start to finish—reflects His nature. To miss the beginning of worship is to miss a portion of God’s intended encounter for us.

Just as 999.99 is not 1,000, partial worship is not complete worship.

Practical Wisdom for Worshipers

Set a spiritual standard: arrive at least 30 minutes early to prepare your heart. Jesus often withdrew early to pray (Mark 1:35). Arriving early allows time for:

Prayer and personal reflection

Aligning your heart and spirit with God

Becoming sensitive to the move of the Holy Spirit

Final Exhortation

God is not our guest—we are His. He deserves our best, our first, and our full attention. If we are punctual and faithful in our workplaces, how much more should we honor the One who gives us life, breath, and all things?

Ecclesiastes 5:1 (NKJV):

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

Let’s honor God with our time, presence, and punctuality. Doing so not only attracts His blessings, but it also reflects a heart truly devoted to Him.

Shalom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/08/24/avoid-being-late-to-worship/

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