From my vantage point on the platform during a worship service, I can see what is happening in the sanctuary as we sing praises to God. I see some in our congregation singing. Their faces glow as they sing songs to our God. I see some with lifted hands. It is as though they cannot contain the emotions they feel as they sing and want to reach out to God, seeking His love and forgiveness. I see some with closed eyes as though in prayer. They have removed themselves from corporate worship and have entered a private moment of worshiping God. Though this should not be an everyday practice, I can see where it is sometimes needed. I see some not participating. I see some entering the worship center near the end of singing in worship. I see some leaving the worship center even though we have only been there a few minutes.
I am sure there are good reasons for each of these scenarios, but my fear is that the body somehow does not see the value of worship. I know we are gifted with different gifts and at various levels. Some of us sing beautifully and some of us not so much, but that should not prevent us from praising our God. A time of worship is not a talent contest. It is a time when we recognize the worthiness of God for all our worship.
Jesus told Satan in Matthew 4:10, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
We are commanded to worship. “Worship the Lord your God.” It doesn’t say, “Worship the Lord your God if you want to.” We are told we must worship. God desires our worship, and we are told to worship Him, but we cannot worship Him because we must. Our “must” has to be genuine. We cannot worship because we are commanded to worship. We must worship because we desire to worship.
If I tell my wife I love her because I know that is what she wants to hear, my love is not genuine. I tell my wife I love her because I want her to know how much she is loved. It is the same with God. His desire for worship is rooted in our desire to worship Him.
I know there are moments when it is hard for us to worship. Life can throw us curveballs. Our families, who love us, can emotionally tie us in knots and we find ourselves at a loss. I’ve been there and I know you’ve been there too. I know the issues we are dealing with can put us in a bad place, but didn’t Jesus tell us to lay our burdens at His feet? Shouldn’t we lay our problems at the foot of the cross and allow Him to lighten our souls and lift our voices up in praise to the One who carries every burden? Together in worship, (corporate worship) we can leave the world behind for a moment and get a glimpse of Heaven as we worship our God.
We don’t have to show off our voice by singing louder than anyone else. We don’t have to hide our voice because it isn’t the voice or the song that God desires but our heart. Worship continues in the reading of His word, the prayers of the saints, the message from our Pastor, the giving of our tithes and offerings, and the fellowship with other Christians. But it begins with the songs we sing. We are told to worship. We must. But it is only true worship if we desire to show our love to Him who loves us so.
Worshiping God 