What do we think of when we hear “Worship God”? Do we think of a song service? Do we think of a small portion of the Sunday Morning Church Service where we go through a series of songs that have been practiced by the worship team while we sing along to words projected on the overhead screens? What is worship really supposed to be? What does it really look like?
As I think about a song entitled “Clear the Stage”, one of the lines sung is “worship is more than a song”. So, what is worship? Romans 12:1 tells us that dedication of our bodies to God is true worship. Romans 12:1 (NLT) — And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
A beautiful picture of worship in Scripture is found in the tabernacle. The tabernacle showcases the eminence of God and it also reveals God’s intense desire to dwell among His people. Every intricate piece of furniture or accessory in the tabernacle was meant to inspire His people to worship Him. Every detail is to reveal the holiness of God and His separation from anything common or “profane”. So, worship is about entering into the Presence of God in a way that is pleasing and obedient to His will. But do we ever think of how worship honors God and at the same time it is beneficial to people? Why do I say that worship is beneficial to people?
Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits or dwells within the praises of His people. So, what happens when God is Present? Psalm 16:11 (ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
A more careful look at the tabernacle will reveals three things that were associated with the Presence (Ark) of God. Hebrews 9:4 (NLT) — In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. What do we see inside the ark (Presence)? We find 3 very significant items that tell us something about what God wants associated with His Presence.
- First, we see the gold jar containing manna. This represents the supernatural provision God made to His people. Jesus is of course our “bread of life” (John 6:35) and God provides everything we need in life. (2 Peter 1:3)
- Secondly, there is Aaron’s staff with sprouted leaves, representing God’s favor. God surrounds His people with favor (Psalm 5:12). We need the favor of God in our life and Jesus have allowed us to boldly enter into the Presence of God to obtain all grace and mercy needed. (Heb. 4:16)
- Thirdly, there are the stone tablets of the covenant. This represents the Word of God which is our covenant with God. Hebrews 8:6 tells us we have a better covenant with better promises because of our Mediator, Jesus Christ.
So, worship will surround us with the Presence of God, because He sits enthroned on our praises (Psalm 22:3) and His Presence brings supernatural provision, favor and covenant promises to us. What a wonderful exchange as we give praise, thanksgiving and adoration to our incredible heavenly Father and in return, we receive the incredible blessings His presence brings. But there is also more. Our worship will bear fruit in the world we live in.
Jack Hayford says, “the incredible fruit of vital worship will be a transformed people who become transforming instruments of God’s grace and deliverance to the world”.
Through our worship, the world can be blessed. This sounds like the promise God gave to Abraham (Gen 12; Gen 18) that through Abraham and his descendants, all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed God. Obedience is an act of worship. (Joshua 24:24) and worship creates a transformation within us that causes us to become blessings to others as we take the transforming power of God into a world that needs hope and peace. We are empowered through worship to become the people God needs in this world to overcome the darkness that has come into the homes, schools, cities and nations of the world.
Worship is a part of who we are. Worship is a blessing, opportunity and privilege given to us by God. Worship is an attitude of the heart that results in actions coming from our life. Worship shows our faith, trust and appreciation to God for all He has done for us and in us!
Our enemy does not like it when we worship God because he must bow His knee to the name of God and His Presence. The enemy wants our worship and I believe by default, when we do not worship God, we are in essence worshipping the enemy. We are created to worship and God wants us to worship Him alone! For the believer, the worship of God is our lifestyle. Let’s send up the praise and worship of God wherever we may be. From our heart will flow adoration and thanksgiving to God for all that He has done for us…for our families, jobs, food, shelter, clothing, city and nation. We are so thankful!
Blessings,
Pastor Donna
