December 17, 2024 - What is Worship
- brooks16055
- Dec 17, 2024
- 3 min read
NAHUM 1:1-3:19
REVELATION 8:1-13
PSALM 136:1-26
PROVERBS 30:7-9
As I read Psalm 136 I was not really reading the "His love endures forever" response. I was focusing on the statements and it brought me into worship. I think it is because it all talks about who God is. Just last night I was reading the "Ruling Elder Exam Book" for our church. I was underlining bits and pieces and scripture that I wanted to memorize. But when I got to the section on Worship, I had to mark every word. The part that stood out to me the most is italicized below. I think it is valuable for every Christian to read to understand what worship is.
"Reformed Worship
For the believer, indeed, for every creature, worship is job Number One. We have no greater command, no greater responsibility and no greater privilege than to worship God. Worship is what we do and say when we stand before the living God, realizing and extolling the character and actions of the Creator of the universe and glorifying Him as our Redeemer in Jesus Christ.
Worship and the One Who is Worshiped
The ordering of worship should be congruent with the realities of Who is being worshipped and those who are worshipping Him. Worship is about glorifying God for who He is and what He has done and continues to do. Glorifying God is about identifying and declaring the weight of His character and His actions and giving praise and thanksgiving to Him. It is, therefore, more about Who God is than what the worshipper thinks or how the worshipper feels about Him. He who is worshipped is glorious in all He is, all He does, and all He says.
Worship and the Worshiper
The worshipper, for his/her part, is a sinner who has fallen short of the glory of the God who is worshipped. Therefore, a sober humility rightly characterizes the attitude of him who approaches the presence of God, solely by the divine grace which has called him to worship and provides the redemptive basis upon which such approach to God is possible. The posture and attitude of the worshipper, therefore, is one of awe, dependence, gratitude, adoration and praise for all that the Creator-God has done in giving life and all that the Redeemer-God has done in giving new life by the Spirit through Jesus Christ."
As you read this come to Him with an attitude of sobor humility with awe, dependence, gratitude, adoration and praise for who He is without concern or regard for what you think or how you feel about Him.
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
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2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
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3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
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4 to him who alone does great wonders,
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5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
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6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
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7 who made the great lights—
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8 the sun to govern the day,
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9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
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10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
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11 and brought Israel out from among them
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12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
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13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
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14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
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15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
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16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;
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17 to him who struck down great kings,
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18 and killed mighty kings—
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19 Sihon king of the Amorites
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20 and Og king of Bashan—
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21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
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22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.
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23 He remembered us in our low estate
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24 and freed us from our enemies.
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25 He gives food to every creature.
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26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
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