Welcome to Roots + Roads! We have begun diving into what it means and looks like to be rooted in worship. Remember that biblical worship is our full life response to who God is, what He has done, and what He will continue to do. Now, we can continue asking questions such as “Who does the Bible command to worship? and “Who is the God we worship?”
Lord, may this be a sweet and pleasing aroma of my worship that honors and glorifies you and is for you, only you. Here’s my heart, my mind, my soul, and all of my strength. Amen.
“Hallelujah! Give praise, servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be blessed both now and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of the LORD be praised. The LORD is exalted above all the nations, his glory above the heavens.”-Psalm 113:1-4
WHO is commanded to worship?
The answers to the following questions, “Who worships?” and even “Who is commanded to worship?” may be silly and obvious. The answer is… (say it with me)… WE DO, and WE ARE. The relationship and covenant that God formed with his creation in Genesis makes the act of true worship even possible. Guess what? We are not the only ones either… *Cue the mysterious music and images of aliens and spaceships. I’m just kidding… but we aren’t. Humans created in the image of God join all of creation in harmony and symphonies of praise to the One True King. The heavens declare the glory of God! All of creation worships the Creator. Modern hymn writers Matt Papa and Matt Boswell write, “All nature testifies Your splendor,” in their hymn Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord). Take a pause and read through Psalm 148 or listen to the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King.”
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly armies.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He set them in position forever and ever;
he gave an order that will never pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
all sea monsters and ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and cloud,
stormy wind that executes his command,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
creatures that crawl and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all judges of the earth,
12 young men as well as young women,
old and young together.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted.
His majesty covers heaven and earth.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
resulting in praise to all his faithful ones,
to the Israelites, the people close to him.
Hallelujah! – (Psalm 148)
Now, let me just say, I don’t know about you… I will NOT let a rock or a tree cry out in worship on my behalf. CeCe Winans shares the same sentiment when she sings, “I’m not letting the rocks cry without joining the chorus.” (By the way, if you have not noticed yet, I like to think in song.) But I will be here singing, shouting, creating, serving, and worshiping Him as long as the good Lord allows, with the mountains, oceans, birds, and whoever will join! It really is a beautiful thing to be able to experience the birds singing, the wind blowing through the trees, and watching the waves roll, knowing they are praising the One who created them. Here’s the opportunity to take another *selah* moment to pause, take a breath, and listen to the world around you. The other day I was walking to work, stopped on the sidewalk, and as I took a deep breath, thanked the Lord for everything I was surrounded by, including the group of squirrels dashing out in front of me. I pray our praise and worship may also share the same breath filled with gratitude.
Jesus also says that he is seeking those who worship him. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, “We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:22-23. Nothing comes close to God’s pursuit of TRUE worshipers who are subject to him alone. The Lord invites us into his glorious presence so that we may seek His face, follow his hand, and join in communion with him. We worship through the relationship and Holy Spirit He has graciously given us. I believe the Lord is seeking those with clean hands and pure hearts (Psalm 24) to truly worship him. May we be true worshipers of Christ who worship in both SPIRIT and TRUTH.
WHO do we worship?
I think it is also MOST important to note WHO we worship. Our biblical worship of Yahweh is what distinguishes us from the world and from being false idol worshipers. God is not a mere object that is bowed down to, something to be suffocated in burnt incense with, or, in a more modern sense, a screen or social media influencer to be stared at. The book of Jeremiah offers a great example of this offense from the ancient Israelites. The Lord declares through the prophet Jeremiah, “But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them rise up and save you in your time of disaster if they can, for your gods are as numerous as your cities, Judah.” (Jeremiah 2:28) If the chosen people of God in Ancient Israel can commit this idolatry, we can, and actually have too!
The person and purpose of our worship is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; also known as the Holy Trinity. Maybe you have heard that our worship is “Christocentric.” While theocentric (God-focused) and trinitarian in nature, our worship to God the Father is made possible through Christ and the salvific work of the cross (John 14:6). You no longer have to slaughter any cattle, sheep, or doves to freely worship God. Author Daniel Block states, “True Christian worship focuses particularly on Christ, through whose sacrificial death and justifying work sinners are qualified for worship, and through whose resurrection they hope in eternal life and worship in the presence of God.” 1 This does not mean our worship should ONLY be focused on Jesus Christ. We want our worship to be doctrinally balanced. We worship God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
One of the incredible things about who we worship is that while he is holy and righteous (transcendent), he is also near and personal to us (immanent). Have you ever truly thought about who God is? Throughout the Scriptures, you may have come to know of God as Jehovah Rapha (God who heals), El Shaddai (God Almighty), Adonai (my Lord), Abba Father, Jehovah Jireh (God who provides), Jehovah Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts), Alpha and Omega, the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, and by so many other names and things he has done! We worship YHWH, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Holy One, the Messiah, Creator of the Universe, our Provider, Protector, Sustainer, Merciful Redeemer, Friend of Sinners, and the one who is All and in All. In the words of CeCe Winans (again), “Who we talkin’ about? THAT’S MY KING!” This just barely scrapes the surface of who we worship.
Friends, HE is WORTHY of our worship. He is utterly DESERVING and ENTITLED to our worship. He has MADE us WORTHY through Christ to worship him. Let us not waste a breath or a thought by not doing so. Is he worthy of all blessing, and honor, and glory? HE IS!
“Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” – Revelation 4:11
- The LORD – the LORD is a compassion and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.” – Exodus 34:6-7a
- “Exalt the LORD our God; bow in worship at his footstool. He is holy.” – Psalm 99:5
- “The LORD is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable.” – Psalm 145:3
- “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love.” – Psalm 145:8
- “The LORD is good to everyone; his compassion rests on all he has made.”- Psalm 145:9
- “The LORD is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his actions.” – Psalm 145:13b
- “The LORD helps all who fall; he raises up all who are oppressed.” – Psalm 145:14
- “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in his acts.” – Psalm 145:17
- “The LORD is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity.” – Psalm 145:8
- “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:17
Blessings and Peace. Your friend, Christy. ♥
- Daniel I. Block, For the Glory of God: Recovering A Biblical Theology of Worship. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016), 53. ↩︎
Let us continue WANDERING!
This blog is an invitation to wander with intention and return with something meaningful: a story, a question, a spark, or a little more wonder than you had before. Whether you are deeply rooted, always in motion, or learning how to be both, I am glad you are here.