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The act of worship is inescapable. Every one of us places our honor, devotion and trust in one direction or another. The question is, “What will be the object of our worship?”

The answer to that question is critical, because everything flows from worship. Whom we exalt as the object of our worship brings definite consequences. Let’s draw this out a bit.

The first object of worship that people are inclined to choose is the self. In this case, pleasing and following the passions of oneself becomes all-consuming. Feelings and their gratification becomes ultimate.

This may seem like an instinctive - if not American - position to take, but watch out. The Bible warns us not to put the creature above the Creator. It tells us, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Doing what’s right in one’s own eyes has a long record of failure.

The second object of worship that people gravitate toward is the state. When people recognize their own limitations, they hope that other, perhaps smarter and more capable human beings will deliver them. This desire is manifest in the expectation that the state will sustain and secure us from cradle to grave.

But here, too, we must take notice. God never intended the state to be a savior, but a minister of justice (Romans 13). When the state goes beyond its God-given role, it is sure to fail and afflict hardship on the people. The state cannot manage what is best for the people, even with good intent, because it does not know all the variables that affect the future. When it attempts to bring increased control anyway, it only leads to tyranny.

This leaves us with only one more option and that is to worship the triune God Himself. And as God, He alone is worthy of our devotion and trust. He is the omniscient, sovereign ruler over all things. He has given His Word to guide us in the way of blessing. And He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, that we would be restored to Him.

To worship the Lord above all else is not the way to stifling oppression that is often assumed. It’s just the opposite. When a people sincerely worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, it’s the way to life and liberty.

Jesus put the paradox best when He said, “Whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:25).

At the root of our problems is the matter of worship. A nation that idolizes the self and state will find no deliverance. It must return to the Lord and worship Him.

This guest column is part of the Rev. David Bostrom’s “Seed for the Harvest” series of newspaper columns. He can be reached by e-mail at dbostrom@centurytel.net. More information about “Seed for the Harvest” is available at www.seedfortheharvest.com.