Putting the 'Worth' in Worship
“Worship” is the English translation of the Greek word proskuneo, to make obeisance, do reverence. The word is comprised of pros, meaning toward; and kuneo, to kiss. Thus it means to lean toward God to pay homage. Our word is from Middle English worshipe, worthy of praise or honor. You can see the word worthy in our word worship.
One of the major reasons for the assembly on the Lord’s Day is to worship God, to pay to Him honor and reverence. I have chosen just a few of the many things necessary to render to Him the kind of pious praise He deserves as our Maker, Creator, and Sustainer.
A clear mind. Worship starts with a mind devoid of impediments. In fact, one of the greatest deterrents to worship is a cluttered mind. We leave so much stuff in our minds when we come to the house of worship that it’s almost impossible for us to concentrate on Him and His goodness. Pressing problems crowd out our higher and more worshipful thoughts. It’s easy for the mind to wander, to get off course, so to speak. David’s prayer in the 63rd Psalm will help. O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live; I will lift up my hands to thy name. See the kind of preparation David made for worship?
A clear heart. One of the most devastating detriments to worship is our own sin. We don’t care to be too near God when we are steeped in sin. There is no reason to enter into worship in a sinful state. “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous” (I Jno. 2:1) and we should make use of that advocacy. We should call on Him for forgiveness so that we don’t block our worship with our sin. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16). There is great peace in the realization that I can approach Him with confidence and boldness and without the tarnish of sin upon my soul.
A feeling of unity. Unity promotes peace and peace promotes good worship. Any kind of animosity toward others inhibits good worship. If it be possible, live at peace with all men (Romans 12:17). Ill feelings don’t promote good worship; they get in the way of devotion and blunt feelings of joy and praise. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also (I John 4:20-21). Let us love one another. To worship with those whom we love and appreciate is one of the true joys of life.
A desire to please Him. It is not enough to extend worship to God; it must be the kind of worship He approves. No where in the New Testament, for instance, does He approve the burning of incense in worship. No where in the New Testament does He approve of merely liturgical mantras as worship to Him. No where in the New Testament does He approve of instruments of music as acceptable worship to Him. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24). How foolish to offer just any paltry thing to God and call it worship. It must please Him. After all, that’s the object of worship.
Let us be careful of our worship. Let us render to Him the kind of honor, reverence, respect, and glory He deserves by worshiping Him today in spirit and in truth.
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