"Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2
Worship is one of those things that seems to be misunderstood in our culture today. Usually we refer to worship as singing, which can indeed be worship, but must be a reflection of the heart to really glorify God. If getting stirred up by the beat or progression of the music is all you mean by worship, then you are basing worship on emotions. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?"
Our emotions are fickle and not reliable, and just because you
feel like you are worshipping, doesn't mean that God is receiving the praise. Though our emotions may be a part of worship,
It must be facts, not emotions, that inspires worship. John 4:24 says, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and
truth."
One of the great hymns of the faith, How Great Thou Art, is all about our response to God in worship.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
"When I consider..." It is when we
consider (think about, meditate on) God's work in creation and powerful display of His handiwork that our heart leaps with joy and song to the Lord:
Worship.
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
"And when I think..." It is when we
think about how God sent His Only Son to die, because He loved us so much, that we are overcome by awe at how great our God is! When I think about how He suffered for me, bled and died, to make me holy, then sings my soul, My Savior, God to Thee!
Worship.
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
"Then I shall bow..." We shall worship God for all eternity, so it is important that we understand it! Revelation 4:8-11 "The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "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."
Why will we worship God in Heaven?
Because of what He has done!
It is a fact that God created the world.
It is a fact that God promised to make a way for sinful souls to be with Him in Heaven.
It is a fact that God kept every one of His promises to Israel, even when they turned away from Him to other gods.
It is a fact that God sent His Son to earth as a human child.
It is a fact that God in flesh healed many, many people who came to Him in Israel.
It is a fact that God in flesh willingly gave Himself up to die that we might be saved.
It is a fact that God in flesh was buried, being completely dead, and sealed in a tomb.
It is a fact that God rose His Son from the dead, bringing victory over sin and death.
It is a fact that God in glorified flesh ascended to heaven, promising to return for His people.
It is a fact that God in Spirit now gives grace, wisdom, strength, and hope to everyone who has placed their trust in Him and is living according to His Power.
It is a fact that God, Who is Faithful and True, will come again and receive those who believe to Himself, that where HE IS, there we may be also. And thus we shall always be with the Lord!
That inspires worship! When we are overcome by HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD, then we fall down at His feet and cry, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!"
Psalm 99:5 "Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool-
He is holy!"
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
