As I sit down to write this blog I think about all the times over the last two months I have truly encountered the Lord during Worship. Worship is one of the ways I connect with God the most. One of the songs I grew up with say: “Oh worship the king all glorious above and graciously sing of his power and his love.” God’s power and love are far beyond any human comprehension and because of that he is so, so worthy of our worship.
He is worthy of your praise. Why is God worthy of our praise though? Not only did God make us and uniquely form us in the womb but he also gave us a way to spend eternal life with him. Through Jesus we are saved from an eternal fiery death. Psalm 47.
It’s engraved into our very DNA and being to worship our heavenly father. Even creation was made to worship the creator, scripture says that even the rocks will cry out. There are many ways we worship, singing and dancing are just a few ways. Singing and dancing is apart of every culture all around the world, no matter where you go. Here in Cambodia, in Africa, in central and south America and in the U.S.. Everywhere you go you can experience the Lord in mighty ways through how other cultures worship. As humans we have a choice to worship, yet we worship because we can. We have the opportunity to humble ourselves and honor and glorify God who is both our maker and savior.
Before we worship, we have to slow down and center ourselves. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29. We need to be still and silent, focusing on who we are actually worshiping. The king of kings, lord of lords, creator of the universe, and savior of the world wants us to sing to him? What?!? How crazy is that? Even in our sin he loves us, cleanses us, and allows us to thank him through our voices and movements. My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” – Psalm 131:1-2 “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, cause it’s all about you, it’s all about you Jesus.” Everything we do, every thing we say, every move we make, and breath we take, if we are saved should be an act of worship. Or lives are a vapor yet if we chose to run to Jesus for our salvation we are eternally safe in His arms. We can worship in our brokenness(pride, anger, jealousy, greed, lust).Our worship leads to healing with His unconditional love. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17
Adoration means a deep love and respect. Meaning that if we come to God in adoration in worship we are showing our deep love and respect for who God really is. We also celebrate what He has done for us. “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” – Luke 19:40. Undignified worship. “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might… As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.” – 2 Samuel 6:14, 16. David Danced. “Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.” – Psalm 149:3. Thankfulness worship. Caring about what others think. God has always wanted to be close with us. Angels and saints bow down and worship the King. Day and night they never stop saying:“‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created, and have their being.” – Revelation 4:8b-11
There are many, many other passages on worship and about worship if you want to dive more in it.
Psalm 95:6, John 4:24, 2 Kings 17:38, Psalm 96:9, Psalm 99:5, Luke 4:8, John 4:24, Exodus 34:14
Matthew 4:1-11, 15:1-20, Psalm 95, Hebrews 10:19-31, 12:18-29, Revelation 4, and John 4:1-45.
