Praise and Worship

A Psalm for giving thanks.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalms 100:1-2 ESV)

When we think of praise and worship, what comes to mind? Generally, at least here in America, I think we think of a time of singing praise and worship songs in what is commonly referred to as a worship service, usually in the context of the organized and institutional church. And certainly singing is to be part of our worship of our Lord, whether we can sing on tune or not, or with beautiful voices or not. And, we are to offer words of praise and adoration to our Lord, too. As well, we are to do so with joyful and glad hearts, desiring to give honor and praise to our Lord and King. 

Yet is that the totality of our worship?

This word translated here as “serve” also has the meaning of “worship.” The same is true with the Greek word translated “service” or “worship” in Romans 12:1-2. In Psalm 100, the word serve (worship) also means “to become bond-slaves, to work, to make a servant” (Source: biblehub.com). In Romans 12, the word service (worship) also means “service rendered to God, divine worship, or service of worship” (Source: biblehub.com). 

So, what this says to me is that there is a direct correlation between worship and service. This plays out in the Romans passage where it tells us that, in view of God’s mercy to us, we should offer our lives (our whole being) to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our reasonable service of worship - no longer conformed to the ways of this world, but transformed in the renewing of our minds. Then we will be able to discern the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God for our lives. This is true worship of God!

Jesus Christ, when he walked the face of the earth, had multiple encounters with the Jewish religious leaders of his day. On one occasion the Pharisees and teachers of the law were criticizing Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before they ate, which was the tradition of the elders. Jesus responded by asking them why they break the command of God for the sake of tradition. He told them that they nullify the Word of God for the sake of tradition. They were hypocrites. 

He added that Isaiah had prophesied about them when he spoke of people who honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from him. They worship God in vain, for their teachings are merely human rules (Matthew 15:7-9). He also told the woman at the well that a time was coming, which has now come, when we won’t worship God in any specific location, but in the Spirit (or in spirit) and in truth (John 4:23-24).

So, what can we take away from all this? For one, I believe we should not limit our idea of worship to merely saying or singing words of praise and adoration to our Lord, or to a specific day, time, atmosphere or venue/place during the week. I believe we should worship our Lord 24/7, regardless of time or place. Our service of worship to our Lord should also be according to God’s design, not of human origin. 

As well, I believe for our words and our singing to be true worship of our Lord, we have to first of all be born again of the Spirit, surrendered, committed, repentant, and obedient to our Lord; pure in heart, and separated from the world of sin because we are being made into the likeness of God/Christ. We must also be bond-slaves of our Lord, meaning he is boss, and we are his servants. And we must take the attitude that our lives no longer belong to us, but they belong to HIM. 

[Matthew 15:7-9; John 4:23-24; Hebrews 12:28; Romans 1:21; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:12; Philippians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8]

Video Talk

https://youtu.be/bpzwUO9wVu0

Caution: This link may contain ads

Lead Me Gently Home, Father

By Will L. Thompson, 1879

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lead me gently home;

When life’s toils are ended,

And parting days have come,

Sin no more shall tempt me,

Ne’er from Thee I’ll roam,

If Thou’ll only lead me, Father,

Lead me gently home.

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lest I fall upon the wayside,

Lead me gently home.

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lead me gently home;

In life’s darkest hours, Father,

When life’s troubles come,

Keep my feet from wand’ring,

Lest from Thee I roam,

Lest I fall upon the wayside,

Lead me gently home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Y9cb0f76A

Caution: This link may contain ads