Psalm 95:1-7a [KJV] “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is hi…s, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.”
There it is…Worshipping the Lord, coming into His presence, bowing before Him, proclaiming His greatness, singing and making a joyful noise to the Lord with thanksgiving… all flowing together. What a thrill that we can do that… to a God that is moved by that, and responds.
Worship is only one-way… from us to God. He will never worship us. We can receive praise from God, but never worship. But in true worship of our Father, we are putting ourselves in the very best position to receive from Him… whether His comfort and encouragement, or healings, or instructions, or anointings, or even just “feeling God.” Worship is humility. Worship is honoring His greatness. Worship is a focus on God, exalting the great I AM. That is what moves God to pour Himself back on us.
Worship in the Bible was often done very simply, quietly, alone before God. Other times it was with great loud voices and instruments. Either way, what makes it real, and pleasing in God’s sight is the heart of humility, and submission, and honor. Worship is not about us, it’s all about God.
Now if there’s anything that we can do to get our focus off of ourselves, and onto God… off of our wants, and onto God’s great power and love; that is a good thing. It could be music, or lighting, or personal testimonies, or preaching, or just quiet. Worshipping as a group especially, can create a flow that pulls everyone toward the presence of God.
The feelings can be awesome in a time like that. Often we might say something like, “That was such an awesome worship service. I really felt the Lord.” To be honest, when we say that, we are saying that we don’t feel the Lord as much now, as we felt Him then. That doesn’t mean that God has backed off. It doesn’t mean we have slipped or that we’re any weaker.
No. That’s when faith sustains us. Our faith may be strengthened by those times of feeling God, but we stand grounded on His Word, not our feelings. As much as we would like to hold on to those feelings, it doesn’t work like that. There are seasons in all God’s creation… a time for refreshing rain, and a time for sunshine. We’re uplifted by the feelings, but we live and walk by FAITH! Faith pleases God, and He rewards faith. And He responds to our love, so we know we’re going to feel something. But our worship continues, no matter what, because of who HE is.
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