God’s design was to create a holy people devoted to himself and set apart for the blessing of the world. Throughout the Old Testament, kings, prophets, and priests worshiped the Lord through dangerous times of war, famine, and victory, and as they faithfully sought God’s abiding presence, miracles, signs, and wonders occurred. As the nation of Israel grew into a kingdom community, worship became a crucial element for making God’s name known. Through myriads of festivals, feasts, laments, and prayer vigils, God’s people continually offered praises to the Lord of hosts for his faithfulness and mighty acts. For the community of saints, worship became a means of remembering the past, living in a present reality, and anticipating God’s future messianic reign.

The worshipping community today is much like these “festivities” of old because the church comes together to share stories, praise God’s name, remember, give generously, and develop relationships all for the sake of celebrating Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Worship must not be limited to the church setting alone but all of life.  As the Church expresses God’s love through worship, lives are reaffirmed and transformed for the kingdom of God.

The Psalms poignantly reveals God’s graciousness through the act of worship because his name tabernacled among the people to be praised and exalted. King David positioned the people to behold God’s glory. God is big, one who delights and loves his children; and through his heart of worship, King David learned victory in battles by acknowledging God as the true source. Specifically, Psalm 8 celebrates God’s reign as Creator, Conqueror, and Companion,

“O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”

God instructs us to preserve creation and express his incarnate glory to the world, not through our own plans, but through the praise of his name. Psalm 8 declares that God’s Son, Jesus Christ is the agent and goal of creation in which all things were made for the praise of his glory. God chose to bear his image in the person of Jesus and invites all of us to join in celebrating their relationship by way of the Spirit. A community that worships passionately is compelled by God’s love. We have the responsibility to mirror God’s image to one another within our own worshiping community. Worship does not just signify musical notes, harmony, plans achieved, and performance, traditional, or contemporary, but the power to transform lives by allowing the community to use every God-given capability to enter his presence and reveal his holiness. Whether through the participation of prayer, the art of silence, hearing God’s Word, responsive reading, sacraments, encountering God at the altar, or singing his mighty acts, to worship passionately signifies the church’s union with the risen Lord and becomes the vehicle to bring glory to his name. Hebrews 13:15 (ESV) declares, “Through him let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

Reflection:

• How do you personally worship Jesus Christ through all of life?
• Are you focused on what you desire in corporate worship or glorifying God?

Dear Father,

You are holy and worthy to be praised!  Help us to worship you through all of life so that we may reflect Christ.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, that you move our inmost being to exalt and adore God.

In Jesus name,

Amen!

Blessings,

Dr. Caroline