What is worship?

We have worship services, worship leaders, worship songs, and worship teams. If one didn’t know any better, they would say that worship is when we sing songs to GOD. But worship really is so much more. See all these things are supposed to point us in the direction of worship, but they are not worship in themselves. Worship is about relationship.

Now, I recognize that most are aware that our worship is our relationship with GOD, but we must never lose sight of this. We can never reduce worship to just a song that we sing, a dance that we minster, or a prayer that we pray. Our worship should flow into everything that we do. Our worship should be impacting every aspect of our lives. Worship in its simplest explanation is obedience that is a result of a deep adoration and love for GOD. But then, even that still barely scratches the surface of what it is truly about, for it is so much more.

One important point that we must understand is that true worship is rooted in love, a love that is a response to the fiery love that GOD has for us. But how do we fall in love with a GOD that we cannot see? GOD’s Word. Because worship without the Word will lead to idolatry. The Word, tells us about GOD, what He loves and what He hates, what He likes and what He dislikes, how He feels about different things and what He expects from us.

As we read the bible, this seemingly invisible GOD begins to take form in our hearts and minds. We learn His personality and character, and this makes it easier to recognize Him when He is near. Without His Word, we will began to worship a GOD that does not exist, a figment of our imagination, an image of who we feel He is or who we feel He should be. This is why Exodus 20:3-4 says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” See if multiple sculptors sculpt an image or a likeness of the same person, the images may look similar, but they would not be exactly the same. Each likeness would be the individual artist’s own interpretation of the person being sculpted. This is what we do with our perception of GOD. That is why true worship is not possible without the Word of GOD.  GOD’s Word reveals His true nature to us.

So let us always be mindful of what we consider to be true worship. Let us also respond to the love that GOD has for us by loving Him back. And let us be sure to worship with GOD’s word so that we do not go astray and worship an image that we created of GOD instead of worshiping the true and living GOD.

Let’s pray!

“Father, we desire to be the worshippers that You seek, ones that worship in spirit and in truth. Awaken love in our hearts, Lord. Not only a love for Your presence, but also a love for Your Word. Lord, we never want to lose sight of what true worship is, teach us Father. And show us where we have an incorrect perception of who You are. Reveal Yourself to us, through your presence and through Your Word, in Jesus name, Amen!”