Worship For The Modern Day Believer
Southaven, Ms
By: Mike Upchurch
In past columns we have talked about worship, and once again I feel led to address the subject. This column is not a commentary on today’s worship music, or a critique of worship leaders. There are some truly anointed worship leaders and musicians in many of the Mid South churches! This is about what personal worship at a deep level can mean for a believer.
Praise versus worship: Most churches start their ‘worship services’ with uptempo praise. Joyous praise to God is found throughout the Bible from the children of Israel, from their leaders, and from their Kings. Instruments are used on many occasions. We are encouraged to praise the Lord in over eighty of the psalms. Praise exalts the Lord. Praise can be thanksgiving and it can be extolling, which is enthusiastic praise. Praise should be a part of every believer’s day. Praise acknowledges the merciful actions He has taken on our behalf and what He has done for us. Praise is used in different ways in the Old Testament and can mean to laud, or to salute or to bless or to thank. In the New Testament it simply means to praise, as in our modern language. And it certainly has a critical place in our lives. However, praise is not the same as worship, although the modern church interchanges the words frequently.
Worship is the stand-alone act of recognizing the wonder of who He is. And worship at the depth we’re speaking of is personal. It is bestowing love and adoration on the Lord whether or not He has done anything for us. Pure worship of the Lord as a holy and Supreme Being can be done no matter where you are and can be done even if no music is playing.
As I’ve stated before, this worship we’re writing of is not a verb, but a lifestyle. It acknowledges on a daily basis the Lord as being wondrous and beautiful; majestic and without equal. It focuses on His glory, His beauty, His designs, His power, His creativity, His integrity, and His sovereignty. True worship will always focus on HIM and not on US.
To worship Him is to prostrate yourself (either physically or in your spirit) before Him and bow your heart in reverence and adoration. You’re acknowledging the wonder of who He is!
It’s been my personal experience that worship is the one thing that will benefit you the most in your spiritual life. Yes, you need to study the word, and you certainly need to spend time in prayer for others. But worship will deepen your relationship with HIM. It will enlarge your understanding of Him. It will draw Him to you. It will place you in the path of God encounters. It can set the stage for miracles. It will place you above your trials. It is in those moments that He may speak to you. Worship is calming. It will relax you. It will bring you peace. It will envelop you in His love. It is fulfilling. It is satisfying. And it is necessary for your survival as a follower of Christ. To bow yourself before Him in adoration will place you in His presence. Your praise will bring Him a smile. Your worship will bring Him TO YOU!
Learn to worship Him. Learn what it means to be quiet before Him, asking for nothing. Learn what it means to be in awe of Him and to just sit alone with the Lord in a state of wonder. Learn what it means to fall in love with Him because of His attributes, not for what He has done for you. When you do fall in love with Him, then a promise He made through His servant Moses in the Psalms will become yours…..
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.”Psalms 91:14-16
That’s a promise I cling to daily! Again, learn to become a true worshipper of the Lord. Praise will invigorate you, but I can promise that worship will change you!
And that’s the way I see it!
Pastor Mike
