Worship

Worship represents that profound interaction that is both unique and fundamental to a relationship between a human being and God. In no other earthly relationship is worship a proper response for people. Worship belongs solely to God. In this way, worship is unique among the relational graces.

Worship of God is the highest expression of relationship mankind is capable of. No earthly experience is more euphoric, more intimate and more fulfilling than the act of worshiping God. In worshiping God, we draw attention to and revel in his perfect, holy awesome Person. In view of his infinite greatness and everlasting love toward us, our only right response is one of humility, brokenness, neediness and overwhelming gratitude—all expressions of worship.

Worship at its core means to ascribe worth to or make much of. In worshipping God we elevate him as supreme in our lives. Nothing and no one else can rightfully take his place.

We tend to view the worship of God merely as an activity like singing and we confine it to a location like a church. But true worship is a lifestyle that exalts God and makes much of him. In John 4:21 we read (AMP), “Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither [merely] in this mountain nor [merely] in Jerusalem.”

One of the greatest discoveries in my relationship with God was that I can worship him anytime, anywhere in all facets of life. Whether I’m hiking in the mountains, riding my motorcycle on a winding road, playing with my children or grandchildren, working on the job, singing his praises in church, or enduring hardship—I can worship him!

When the terrorist attack occurred on September 11, 2001 our nation was stunned. I remember meeting with the college and career singles we were leading in small group at the time. We came together that night humbly and contritely to worship God. In view of the events and terror, we felt compelled to worship the God of the universe who is never surprised by anything. In light of that day’s horror we saw how puny and helpless we are and how desperately we need God. Worship of God is always appropriate!

In the John 4 passage, Jesus went on to further explain worship to this woman. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Why is it so significant that “God is spirit” and that “his worshipers must worship [him] in spirit and in truth?” Paul helps answer these questions in his address to the Athenians. He had noticed that Athens was a city full of idols and that its people were infatuated with an abundance of gods and a wide variety of philosophical ideas.

In response to all he saw, Paul exclaimed, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:24-25) Paul goes on to explain that God has been active in the lives of and seeks relationship with mankind. “For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

By worshipping God in spirit, we acknowledge that he is spirit and omnipresent. When King Solomon built a beautiful temple in honor of the Lord, at its dedication Solomon prayed, “The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (2 Chronicles 6:18) As ever-present spirit, God knows the thoughts and motivations of our hearts. Therefore, to worship God in spirit requires that we live an exposed life of integrity before him.

To worship God in truth means to worship him as he truly is, not as we imagine him or would like him to be. In this way we see him as holy God who will not tolerate sin, yet who is abundantly merciful and forgiving when we repent of our sins. Worshiping God in truth flies in the face of the relativistic culture in which we live. Our culture has elevated tolerance to the place of supreme virtue. But if we are to worship God in truth, we must accept from him that there are absolutes and that he defines them.

The Bible, God’s revealed Word, provides us with the source of truth for our worship of him. If our worship runs counter to his Word, it runs counter to him! If true worship is God-honoring, we must worship him in ways that truly bring him honor. Therefore, if I want to worship God while riding my motorcycle, I must ride in such a way that will glorify him, not soil his name before others. “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12)

When with “clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:4) we worship God, making much of him, enjoying him and being enthralled with him, we worship him in spirit and in truth. And our relationship with him grows as we rehearse God’s greatness, mercy, love, kindness and holiness. Lord, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25)

Another key to worshiping God in spirit and in truth is to be able to worship him without concern for what others think. And yet we want to walk a high path of integrity in this regard. There are two slippery slopes on either side of this high path of integrity. The one side makes a pretense of showy worship in order to be seen and esteemed by others. This is not pleasing to God who knows our motives. That slippery slope nearly always leads to hypocrisy.

On the other slippery slope we conduct ourselves with such a high degree of self-consciousness for what others might think, that we are merely that—self-conscious—not God-conscious! This slippery slope prevents one from worshiping God in spirit and in truth because the focus is on one’s self and on what others think. This is self-conscious worship and lacks any freedom in its expression.

Worship God, enjoy him, exalt him and make much of him. He is ever deserving of our worship. There is never a time when worship of God is not appropriate. Worship him with your whole being and with your whole life. Psalm 29:2, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”

© Rob Fischer 2008