Do You Really Worship?

Many of us have had the experience of attending a service where the music and lyrics have been particularly moving. Our response might be that it was a very good worship experience. It may well have been, or it might have been a moving emotional experience. Music is a powerful gift from God. David was brought to play music to sooth Saul's spirit when the distressing spirit came upon Saul. The Scriptures hold an entire collection of Psalms to be sung at particular times when God's people gathered to celebrate the prescribed feasts and festivals. However, praise is not always worship. In fact there are times when the two have little to do with each other. It seems that many churches apply considerable effort to prepare the atmosphere for the greatest emotional impact possible from the music and praise service. Dimmed lights, proper sound, slide shows to compliment the music with beautiful or emotionally charged visuals, and power point presentations all designed to touch our hearts and spirits. None of this is bad, but is it worship?

When God tells us something it is wise, even our responsibility to listen and obey, If He reiterates it we should certainly take note. If He determines to tell us the same thing three times in three different ways it would seem reasonable to be sensitive to what the Lord has told us. God does this through David's pen, or quill, as David calls God's people to come to sing, praise, and also to worship the Lord. Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. It is also a call to worship. Psalm 96:6, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." David tells us to worship, bow down, and to kneel before the LORD. What we may not see is the reiteration of the same call for submission.

Worship is the Hebrew word shachah, which means to bow down or prostrate oneself. David follows this with, kara, which also means to bow down, followed by, barak, meaning to kneel, bow or to bless. All three carry the idea of yielding, submitting, and coming in obedience to one who is superior. Psalm 95:8-11 challenges us to avoid having hard hearts like those who were disobedient back in the times of Moses. Back when God's people refused to go into the land. Obedience, was essential to enter God's rest and to know God's peace and favor. It is also essential for entering into true worship. All the praise and stirring of our emotions may help us feel good, however, without humble obedience it is just noise. It is from humble bowing to the person of God, recognizing His absolute authority that real worship come to be. It is from this state that praise springs forth. Emotions may be involved in that response, however, without an attitude of submissive obedience we have never entered into worship. David provides three reminders of this humble attitude in this one simple verse.

Paul gives us similar directions in 1 Corinthians 13. He speaks of agape, the sacrificial love that comes from an obedient and submissive relationship with God. This kind of love places God and others before our own wants and desires. Without this, God focused, passion, our words, even words of praise, are just noise. Samuel confronts Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, reminding him that, " Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." We are called to give God praise, even a sacrifice of praise, We are also called to obedience. Being deeply moved by the words and music of a God honoring composition is certainly a good thing. We just need to be certain that we also come in worship, meaning humble submission and obedience as well.