Why Worship?

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Easter.  Churches across the world experienced an uptick in their attendance.  Such was the case at our church here in the “hollers.”  Of course, many of these individuals will probably not darken the church doors until Christmas or they may even wait another year before returning.  They could be coming for the choir special.  It could mean that they are simply spending the day with family and this is their family tradition.  However we look at it, the premise of worship in the Psalms remains the same.  In both Psalm 103 ad 104, we find this phrase “Bless the Lord.”  It is mentioned 6 times in Psalm 103 and twice in Psalm 104.  The psalmist is actually encouraging this response of praise due to two things.  Let’s take a look at two significant passages in these two psalms and see if we can grasp these two reasons.
Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.   (Psalm 103:1-5)

The first reason to respond to God in worship is because of what He has done.  At the heart of this Psalms is God’s graciousness and mercy in forgiving us for our sins.  In a recent conversation with some who were new in their walk with Christ, the one constant theme to what He has meant to them since entering that relationship is they have been given hope.  I can sit here and share countless times in which “God showed up” in my life and in my hour of need and took care of me or my family or even the church.  When we sit back and think about what God has done for us, a chain of events that began way back in Genesis, there must be a sense of awe and wonderment to what He has done that leads us to a sense of deepest praise and worship.  Now let’s look at the second significant passage of Scripture.  This one is found in Psalm 104:

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. (Psalm 104:1-2)

Now this one is going to be a little bit different to understand.  The reason is because we usually associate praise with accomplishments.  However, in this psalm, the psalmist is encouraging praise and worship based not on what our Creator has done but who He is.  We have the tendency to believe that what He has done is what makes Him God.  Yet it was not the splitting of the Red Sea that makes Him God.  It is not the flooding of the world that makes Him God.  It is not the 10 plagues, the water from the rock, the manna that fell from the sky, and the incredible accomplishments that He worked through the nation of Israel that makes Him God.  It is simply who He is.  All these incredible demonstrations of power is simply a revelation of His nature.  From holiness, omnipotent, omniscient, and the list goes on.  God is God simply because that is who He is.  That alone should drive us to a deep sense of praise and worship.

 ____________________

O that with yonder sacred throng

 we at his feet may fall!

 We'll join the everlasting song,

 and crown him Lord of all.

 We'll join the everlasting song,

 and crown him Lord of all.

 ____________________

        A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.

      The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"

      My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"

      He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."