Why should we worship God?
TOPIC: WHY SHOULD WE WORSHIP GOD?
To worship is to show reverence and adoration for a deity or to something that represents a deity (e.g., a graven image). People worship all kinds of things: the true God (John 4:24), demons (Revelation 9:20), carvings or statues made to represent beasts (Exodus 32:7–8), the sun, moon, and stars (Deuteronomy 17:3), kings (Daniel 3:5), and themselves, including their own carnal appetites (Philippians 3:19).
The first occurrence of the word worship in the Bible is in Genesis 22:5. In that passage, Abraham and Isaac are headed up the hill to the altar where Abraham planned to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God’s command (Genesis 22:2). This was a test of Abraham’s faith—God never meant for him to sacrifice his son—and it is interesting that Abraham says to his servants, “Stay here . . . while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you” (verse 5). Clearly, Abraham thought of his obedience in this matter as an act of adoration or worship. And it is also interesting that he spoke in the plural (“we will come back”) even when he knew that God had commanded that he kill Isaac on the altar (cf. Hebrews 11:19).
Relationship with God naturally produces worship of Him. He tests us, challenges us, saves us, showers us with gifts, provides for us, and protects us. He is intimately involved in our lives, and in return, we praise and adore Him. We worship Him. True worship is not forced or false; worship flows naturally from us toward the One who controls our life and destiny. Whatever God wants from us, no matter how taxing, we will do, because our object of worship is of prime importance. And that is what worship is, at its heart.
Why should we worship God? Why is it imperative to worship Him alone, instead of statues or the moon or ourselves? In the end, the “why” of worship is about trust. Whom do we trust? King David wrote of some good reasons to praise and worship God:
“He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever” (Psalm 146:6–10).
Why do we worship God? He is the only One worth worshiping. He alone deserves worship because He alone is good (Mark 10:18) and salvation is in Him alone (Revelation 19:1).
The first occurrence of the word worship in the Bible is in Genesis 22:5. In that passage, Abraham and Isaac are headed up the hill to the altar where Abraham planned to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God’s command (Genesis 22:2). This was a test of Abraham’s faith—God never meant for him to sacrifice his son—and it is interesting that Abraham says to his servants, “Stay here . . . while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you” (verse 5). Clearly, Abraham thought of his obedience in this matter as an act of adoration or worship. And it is also interesting that he spoke in the plural (“we will come back”) even when he knew that God had commanded that he kill Isaac on the altar (cf. Hebrews 11:19).
Relationship with God naturally produces worship of Him. He tests us, challenges us, saves us, showers us with gifts, provides for us, and protects us. He is intimately involved in our lives, and in return, we praise and adore Him. We worship Him. True worship is not forced or false; worship flows naturally from us toward the One who controls our life and destiny. Whatever God wants from us, no matter how taxing, we will do, because our object of worship is of prime importance. And that is what worship is, at its heart.
Why should we worship God? Why is it imperative to worship Him alone, instead of statues or the moon or ourselves? In the end, the “why” of worship is about trust. Whom do we trust? King David wrote of some good reasons to praise and worship God:
“He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever” (Psalm 146:6–10).
Why do we worship God? He is the only One worth worshiping. He alone deserves worship because He alone is good (Mark 10:18) and salvation is in Him alone (Revelation 19:1).
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