Reflections on Worship
This blog will not be of the “seven steps to engage in worship” variety but will be more along the line of musings and trying to answer some questions.
Let’s begin by asking ‘What is worship?’
The word Greek word for “worship,” proskuneō, means “to encounter God and praise Him.”
Worship describes both a way of life and a specific activity. It is both private and public. I think of how years ago when I engaged in the public worship of singing in church my spirit would soar to God on the inside and He alone could see and receive that great longing for and adoration of Him.I fully subscribe to the notion that God inhabits the praises of His people.
Another important question is: ‘Who is worthy of our worship?’
Worship necessitates an object and the God of the Bible, the maker of heaven and earth, is the object of our worship. The Bible tells us God alone is worthy of our worship.
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.” -Revelation 4:11
We recognize the unparalleled value and worth of Almighty God and respond to Him with adoration, praise and thanksgiving as well as a surrendered life of obedience.
Next, I want to ask: ‘What are specific activities of worship?’
Specific worship activity can be expressed in many ways such as singing to the Lord, lying prostrate before the Lord, kneeling, raising hands, dancing, sitting silently, giving of thanks, and even shouts to the Lord. Just as the wind blows through the trees and causes the leaves flutter and sway so the Holy Spirt prompts us to respond to God in a myriad of ways. Whether we are home alone, or in a public service we can worship God. Whether the public service offers a liturgical from of worship or a spontaneous form of worship matters not. We can worship God in spirit and in truth from our hearts wherever we are.
Worship as a lifestyle can involve spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, silence, meditation, contemplation and more but most importantly, it is a life of prayer and obedience to God’s commands as modelled by our Lord Jesus.
Worship as a lifestyle involves loving God with all of ourselves and loving people as ourselves in the mundane of our daily lives.
An interesting thought about worship intrigued me when I read Matthew 15:25:“Then she came and worshipped Him saying, “Lord, help me!” The context is a foreign woman who asks Jesus to heal her daughter and He refuses her three times before giving her what she asked for.
This woman’s worship of Jesus included asking Him for help! That required belief and trust and, in her case, perseverance. I’m reminded of Jacob who wouldn’t let go of God until He blessed him. It seems from these stories that crying out to God in petition is a form of worship.
I also think of the thief on the cross who said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”. Clearly this man encountered God in Jesus and praised Him. He believed. He trusted. He worshipped Jesus while enduring his own crucifixion.
For me a lifestyle of worship involves both contemplating the attributes of God, His nature, His character as revealed in His Word and obeying His commands. I find contemplating God’s goodness fuels my desire to obey Him.
Pondering how I worship God in my own daily life I think of sitting quietly before Him, meditating on a Scripture, thinking about what God is like, just being silent and still before Him, sensing His Presence, and enjoying Him.
I pray a rote prayer to God most mornings offering myself to Him and asking for His leadership in my life.
Worship also involves obedience to revealed commands such as, “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
Recently someone gave ma a copy of the Heidleberg Catechism and I just fell in love with the opening question and answer.
Question: “What is your only comfort in life and death?”
Answer: “That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death- to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ….”
How wonderful How glorious! How liberating!
The Bible tells us God has revealed Himself to us in creation. Today I was admiring and giving thanks for the flowers of the filed (weeds) whose beauty outdoes King Solomon in all his glory (richest man in the world).
Thanksgiving is another way to worship God. We can thank Him daily for what He has done for us in salvation and for all the daily blessings He freely gives to us. I am grateful to God for the friendships He’s given me. I cherish them.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." -James 1:17
Lament is also a way to worship God. He allows us to air our complaints, our pain, our sorrow, and confusion and He wants to comfort us in all our tribulation. He’s the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Including God in all of our life, sharing everything with Him- the good, the bad, the glad, the sad-is worship. Ultimately trusting God in every season is worship. He receives our trust in Him and our dependence on Him as worship in spirit and in truth.
God, we acknowledge You as the fountain of living waters, as the giver of life and life abundantly. We worship you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We worship You with our lips and with our lives. Open our eyes to see Your beauty. We find great joy in seeing Your beauty and great peace in Your wonderful Presence. Grant us grace to always trust you even to the end of the age.
Amen.
