When someone does something nice for us, we say “thank you.” We may go a step further and send a nice note or gift. How can we thank God, who has given us life, both here on Earth and eternal life in Heaven? Yes, we should obey his commandments, pray and seek to become Christ-like in all we do. The Bible describes worship as “pleasing” to God and a requirement of those who follow Christ. It our way of expressing our love and thanksgiving to God.
What is worship? If you look at the Hebrew translation of the Bible, worship means to bow down in adoring contemplation of God. God has asked his people to worship Him from the beginning of time. In Exodus, the Lord told Moses to appeal to Pharaoh to let his people go so they could worship Him. When the Pharaoh refused, God cursed the land with the ten plagues. God commanded early Christians to focus worship on Him. “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14).
Jesus mentioned the importance of worship when Satan tempted him. “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” (Luke:4:5-8). Jesus’ followers worshipped him when he walked on Earth, just as we worship Him in spirit now.
In the modern-day churches, “worship services” often begin with music. David was the first person in the Bible to emphasize the power of music in worship. He talks about it often in the Psalms. “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs,” (Psalms 100:2) is just one of many passages that emphasizes music in worship.
Worship is uplifting. Music can touch the soul. Many people are moved to tears during worship. Many lift their hands in honor to God. Some just simply listen quietly. Worship, even when it is done in a church, is a private expression of our love to God.
Even when you are not in church, you can worship God by playing music when you are alone. Or you can choose to bless others by singing and playing worship songs for them.
You don’t have to be the best singer, guitar player or piano player to show your devotion to God. God is pleased by our worship. “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. (Psalms 69: 30-31). Worship is the ultimate “thank you” to the One who gave sacrificed his Son so we can have eternal life, earthly peace and abundant blessings.
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