There is a lot of talk about worship in some circles and I sense that it is so much more than attending a meeting at church at 11:00 on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle.
According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, the term worship is used to refer to the act or action associated with attributing honor, reverence, or worth to that which is considered to be divine by religious adherents. Christian worship is often defined as the ascription of worth or honor to the triune God. Worship is more fully understood as an interrelation between divine action and human response: worship is the human response to the self-revelation of the triune God, which includes:
- Divine initiation in which God reveals Himself, His purposes, and His will;
- A spiritual and personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ on the part of the worshiper; and
- A response by the worshiper of adoration, humility, submission, and obedience to God.
Worship may be understood in either a broad or narrow context. In a broad sense, worship is seen as a way of life (Romans 12:1). In this context all of life is viewed as an act of worship or service before God (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17).
Worship is also pictured as an act of the assembled people of God, as seen in the worship prescribed by God in the tabernacle (Exodus 25-40; Leviticus 1-7) and temple (1 Chronicles 22-29; 2 Chronicles 3-7; 29-31), as well as in the worship of the New Testament church (Acts 13:2; 1 Corinthians 11-14).
In addition to the various congregational descriptions, worship sometimes involves individual encounters with God (Genesis 29:35; 35:11-15; Exodus 3:1-22; Joshua 5:13-15; Isaiah 6), family worship (Genesis 4:2-5; 8:16-9:17; 35:2-7), and includes a few descriptions of worship in heaven (Isaiah 6; Revelation 4; 5; 7; 15; 19).
But I like lists and acrostics, so how does this help us get a grip on what worship is all about?
- Wait upon the Lord – trust in his timing and care for us, without becoming anxious.
- Offer praises to Him – in the good and the difficult times of life.
- Rest in His presence – simply be still and know he is God and he will be exalted among the nations (Psalm 46:10).
- Sing unto Him – Christians have a song in our hearts and we are commanded six times in the psalms to sing a NEW SONG (Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1)… why not include all the “new song” verses (Isaiah 42:10, Revelation 5:9, 14:3).
- Humble ourselves before Him – God opposes the proud (1 Peter 5:5) and he will lift up those who humble themselves (James 4:10).
- Intimacy with God – He desires that we have a close relationship with him, not just performing some sacrificial duty or ritual.
- Pleasing God – would this not be the goal of all those who have a lover, looking at the other as more important than yourself (Philippians 2:2-4).
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