The word worship is first found in Genesis 22:5. The Lord told Abraham to take his son to Moriah and sacrifice him. Centuries later, King David made a sacrificed to stop a plague that killed thousands when he sinned against the Lord by numbering the people. It was in this same place in Moriah that his son Solomon built the temple, a place of worship.
Moriah means chosen or ordained by Jehovah. At some time in our walk with God, he will ask us to go to Moriah. Moriah is not necessarily a place where we surrender our sinful passions, fleshly vices or problems. Rather we surrender the one thing that's very precious in our lives - be a relationship, a promotion, or a dream - all for the sake of obedience.
Peter was asked by Jesus, "Do you love me more than these?" Moriah is the place where we are challenged by sacrificing the precious by saying: "Yes Lord, I love you more - more than this promotion or this relationship or this dream. So I lay it down on the altar even if it costs me everything so I can experience more of Your presence."
As you read through Genesis 22 you find God meets Abraham having tried his heart by providing a lamb. Moriah is a place of provision. A place of trusting God that He has our best interests. Our hearts should always respond with thanksgiving. A sacrifice of true praise!
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