GOD’S WORD AND HIS WORSHIP (1)

“Oh COME, LET US WORSHIP and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” – Psalm 95:6

We shall conclude this Year of Living by the Word on the note of GOD’S WORD and HIS WORSHIP: “Oh COME, LET US WORSHIP and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:6-7). Psalm 95 is a worship psalm, which may have been sung in procession to the Temple, with the various aspects of the liturgy: singing, shouting, kneeling, and bowing. Whatever its original intent, it speaks of the need to give praise and worship to our great God, Who is King above anyone and anything else that might be called a “god.” He is the Creator of all things, whose Hands contain the very depths of the earth, who owns the highest mountain peak, made the sea and formed the desert.

There is nothing in creation that doesn’t belong to God. He made all; all are His. We are His! Every living, breathing soul is His. God owes us nothing; we owe Him everything. Particularly, we owe Him WORSHIP! The words, “Come, let us” invoke the idea of Worship. COME is an invitation and an opportunity. It is not a demand but a loving call that compels us to draw near. “Let us” show that we can join others in worshipping our God; we don’t have to go alone. God Alone is Worthy of Worship: “YOU are WORTHY, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev.4:11).

Indeed, the word ‘Worship’ comes from the Greek word ‘proskun’ which means to do reverence or homage to a superior being by prostration; to bow oneself in adoration. It conveys two main ideas: Falling down before, paying homage; and serving. Worship also comes from an old English word that implies “Worth-ship”! This compound word refers to the action of humanity expressing homage to God because He is worthy of it. Worship is recognizing the Worth of God and offering Him due honour, reverence, adoration, and service. Men ought to worship GOD! Worship is the awed response to God’s saving acts and praiseworthy character.

Worship is the primary calling of humanity: “This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My Praise” (Isa.43:21). God created us for Himself. I am not here for me. You are not here for you. We are here to give Him pleasure and we do that through a lifestyle of worship and faithful service. We have an assignment on earth that’s more than taking care of ourselves and our needs. We were created and fashioned to worship God. Unfortunately, many people on earth – including some believers – are bringing pain to God instead of pleasure. Since humanity’s fall in the Garden of Eden, Man has chosen to be a god to himself, with calamitous consequence! We often forget that we are created for God and not God for us! We’re made to worship and serve Him!

Every product exists for a purpose determined by the manufacturer and not the product itself. Yet, some people believe that God exists to constantly bring pleasure to them. They get angry with Him when he appears not to be satisfying them. Some blame Him for everything including their errors; some expect Him to always run errands for them; some get angry when they think He is slow in dealing with their problems, while others ignore Him entirely and do just whatever they want or whatever pleases them.

The Lord Jesus Christ revealed God’s Divine Desire. He seeks for a particular type of people: True, Genuine Worshipers – “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the TRUE WORSHIPERS will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is SEEKING such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jh.4:23). True worshipers worship God at all times; through pleasant times and times of pressure; and through their trials and uncertainties! We owe God Worship!