Why should we worship God?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

To worship is to show reverence and adoration for something. People worship all kinds of things: the true God (John 4:24); demons (Revelation 9:20); carvings or statues made to represent beasts (Exodus 32:7–8); the sun, moon, and stars (Deuteronomy 17:3); kings (Daniel 3:5); and themselves, including their own carnal appetites (Philippians 3:19). However, God, the One who created all and is over all is the One who is fully true and good. He is the One who sustains us. He took care of the problem of sin for our good and His glory. He is the only One worthy of worship.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Hebrew word that is often translated "worship" in the Old Testament occurs first in Genesis 18:2, when Abraham bows before heavenly visitors—an appearance of God along with two angels. Lot, too, bowed before the angels in Genesis 19:1.
• The same word occurs again in Genesis 22:5. Abraham and Isaac are headed up the hill to the altar where Abraham planned to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God's command (Genesis 22:2). This was a test of Abraham's faith—God never meant for him to sacrifice his son—and it is interesting that Abraham says to his servants, "Stay here. . .I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you" (Genesis 22:5). Abraham thought of his obedience in this matter as an act of adoration or worship. And it is also interesting that he spoke in the plural ("we will come back"), even when he knew that God had commanded that he kill Isaac on the altar (cf. Hebrews 11:19).
• David wrote of some good reasons to praise and worship God:
• "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
• whose hope is in the LORD his God,
• who made heaven and earth,
• the sea, and all that is in them,
• who keeps faith forever;
• who executes justice for the oppressed,
• who gives food to the hungry.
• The LORD sets the prisoners free;
• the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
• The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
• the LORD loves the righteous.
• The LORD watches over the sojourners;
• he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
• but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
• The LORD will reign forever,
• your God, O Zion, to all generations.
• Praise the LORD!" (Psalm 146:5–10).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• God is the only One worth worshiping. He alone deserves worship because He alone is good (Mark 10:18), and salvation is in Him alone (Revelation 19:1).
• Romans 11:36 tells us that He is above all things: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” This is why God alone is worthy of worship.
• Not only is God over all things, but He loves us. We worship God because He saw our need (sin), and He personally did what needed to be done to save us and fix the problem. God did not do it because we deserved it; He did it because He loves us (Romans 5:8).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Relationship with God naturally produces worship of Him. We recognize who He is and what He has done, which causes us to worship Him. We realize that the God who created us wants a relationship with us. He tests us, challenges us, saves us, showers us with gifts, provides for us, and protects us. He is intimately involved in our lives, and in return, we praise and adore Him. We worship Him. We see that God is intimately and sovereignly at work in all of humanity for all of time and that He promises to redeem and restore all that sin has destroyed, which causes us to worship Him. True worship is not forced or false; worship flows naturally from us toward the One who is sovereign over our life and destiny. Whatever God wants from us, we will do, because our object of worship is of prime importance. And that is what worship is, at its heart.

UNDERSTAND

• We worship God because He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
• We worship God because of what He has done for us, especially our salvation through Jesus Christ
• Worship is a natural response to our relationship with God. Recognizing His intimate involvement in our lives, His care, and His promises, we are drawn to adore and praise Him.

REFLECT

• How does recognizing God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things impact the way you approach worship?
• How has God’s love and salvation personally moved you to worship Him more deeply?
• How do you see God’s involvement in your daily life, and how does that influence your desire to worship Him?

ENGAGE

• Everyone worships something; it is just a matter of whether what they are worshiping is true, good, lasting, and able to fulfill what they believe it can. What does the object of someone’s worship reveal about their values and priorities?
• How can we prepare our hearts and lives to worship God in response to what He has done for us, particularly through Jesus Christ?
• How can we encourage one another to see worship as a natural expression of our relationship with God, rather than a duty?