Part 2 - Why do we worship?
Do you ever consider this? 'Why do we do all this church and congregational stuff? Why do we sing? Why do we worship?' I think it's good and healthy to keep asking these questions, because it helps to keep the worship fresh and real. Rather than just going through the motions, we can keep reminding ourselves of some simple truths. There are many types of church service with very different styles of worship, but essentially the purpose is the same - It's corporate worship, it's the saints of God coming together to lift up the name of Jesus, and to give all glory to God the Father. Praising him, adoring him, for who he is and what he's done. If we're gathered in his name God is there in the midst. That's his promise - his presence! Also, why are we called to 'live a life of worship'? Why is it not enough just to go to Church? Simple! - It's about having a personal relationship with our Father in heaven, and he wants us to dwell in his presence daily!
He is worthy - Sometimes we need no other reason at all, other than the fact that he is worthy. Worthy of all honour, all blessing, and all praise. Worship is when we actually minister to God. We can actually bring blessing and pleasure to our almighty King by what we say (or sing) and what we do, and it's the awesome glory of God that makes him alone worthy of our worship. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. No matter what's going on in our lives he's still worthy and he still loves us. He's created all things, he holds all things together and he gives us life that comes with every new day. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Rev 4 v 11)
It's what we were created for - God made us in his own image because he wants a relationship with us, and he wants to reveal to us his plan and purpose for our lives. He can only do that when we are in a right relationship with him; cleansed from sin; living a life of worship which is pleasing to him. "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test what God's will is" (Rom 12 v 1 - 2) Here we are told to "renew" our minds. I believe that this is a continual process, not just a one off, because our busy lives will clutter our minds and prevent us from seeing things clearly through the eyes of God. In order to be renewed we need to be totally focused on God, with a heart full of praise, and a desire to allow him to work in our lives.
It's what we're commanded to do - "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess 5 v 16 - 18) Here are three commands which we should obey as part of our worship, and again it's not just about singing it, it's about living it! Obeying these commands is very beneficial to us because living this way everyday we find that God's presence is real at all times, and his spirit will guide us in all circumstances. We are instructed to 'give thanks'. When we do this we begin to recognise that God has given us everything we need, and that he is in control of all things. Through good and bad, he has carried us; he has provided for us; he has even allowed trials to strengthen our faith and build our character.
It's what we choose to do - God is someone with personality, character and emotions, and he made us the same way. He also gave us free will, to make our own decisions. He didn’t program us to worship him, but he wants us to choose to worship him, and live for him. For our worship to be true, it has to be our desire to obey his commands, to do what we were created for, and to respond to the one who is worthy. We can learn from David - "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name; O most high." (Ps 9 v 1 - 2) It was the attitude of his heart that enabled David to always choose to worship, even when he was having a really bad day - "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my saviour and my God." (Ps 42 v 11).
One of the great blessings of being in the presence of God is that we find ourselves doing things in his strength and not ours - this is why he wants us to live by his side. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11 v 28 - 30) We find all that we need in his presence and it's far easier to live that way, than to struggle in our own ways.
Paul Boardy
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