Psalm 100:1-2 (NLT) is a powerful exhortation to engage in joyful worship and praise towards God. It states: “1 A psalm of thanksgiving. Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.” This is a call to all the earth to shout with joy to the Lord. It’s an invitation for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, to join in exuberant praise. This call to worship extends beyond mere lip service; it encourages a wholehearted response, urging believers to approach God with enthusiasm, gratitude, and reverence. The imagery of shouting emphasizes the magnitude and fervency of the worship, indicating to every soul that our praise should be a joyful and resounding expression of adoration towards our God.
When it comes to worshiping and praising God, it’s a total misconception to think we can give Him anything less than our wholehearted, fervent expression. If we want to please Him, we can’t offer God our sloppy seconds. If we’re more excited about a basketball or football game than we are about Jesus, that’s not going to cut it. From Genesis to Revelation, we learn that genuine worship and praise of our Heavenly Father cannot be forced or generated through repetitive rituals. It cannot be mere leftovers or an afterthought. We must offer God our best because that’s what He deserves.
We learn from the very beginning, in the Book of Genesis, that God desired intimacy between Him and His creation, human beings. He longed for a close relationship with Adam and Eve, just as He longs for a relationship with us. Genesis 1:27 (NLT) states: “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” He has equipped us with everything necessary to foster and maintain an intimate connection to Him. Through the union, fellowship, and devotion that He’s established for us in Christ, He has left no detail of our communion and oneness with Him incomplete. Within us, He fashioned the capacity for true worship and praise. Therefore, when we engage in worship and praise towards God, we affirm our commitment to give Him glory and honor, acknowledging His supremacy and worthiness to be worshiped and praised continually.
To worship and praise our Heavenly Father, the Creator of all, is to align with truth! It is ‘bliss’ beyond the concept of the word. Anyone glorious deserves glory, and there is none glorious but Him, the One True Living God. Jesus Christ stated in John 4:24(NKJV), “God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” There is no greater privilege in all of life than to worship God in spirit and truth, and because we are made in His image, as Genesis 1:27 reveals, we have the capacity through Jesus Christ to respond to God’s glory by being a conduit of it through our praise.
Romans 5:5 (NLT) reminds us: “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Through the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, God bestowed upon us His Holy Spirit. In Jesus Christ, we’ve received the capacity to mirror God’s nature and character. As His born-again people, we can step into His presence, bringing Him immense joy. We become reflections of His glory and radiance, setting our souls ablaze with passion for Him. The thought that we can reciprocate to God all that He’s poured into us through His Spirit is not just a privilege; it’s our greatest joy!
Ephesians 2:10(NLT) boldly declares, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” This is how God sees us—His masterpieces in Christ! This is who He has made us, and we don’t need to embellish or complicate the simplicity He has set. However, over time, many of us have done just that. Various traditions and practices have sneaked into worship and praise, many of which God did not authorize. Adam and Eve lived in simple communion with our Creator, free from the distractions of rituals that steer away from genuine worship and praise. Some of us get entangled in these distractions, neglecting God’s Word and failing to grasp the essence of worship and praise. It’s time to return to God’s original vision of true intimacy and oneness with Him through Christ.
Worship is a sacred act and expression reserved exclusively for the Lord. As exemplified in 1 Samuel 17, David’s unwavering faith in God’s power enabled him to conquer Goliath over seemingly insurmountable odds. Likewise, we too must trust in God’s faithfulness, acknowledging His glory, power, and honor, with joyful gratitude and adoration. Our worship should be sincere, expressing our love and appreciation for who God is and all He has done for us. Let’s worship God with authenticity, seeking His presence and showing Him the depth of our gratitude, faith, and love. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“The Joy of Worshiping God”, written by Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Stephens for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.