There are numerous meanings of the word worship. People are free to use worship in whatever ways they choose. Generally, some people choose to worship other people, places, and things. However, when worship pertains to the God of the Bible, there is a very vast and distinct difference indeed.
Worship can be described as a deep innermost feeling of profound reverence, honor, devotion, adoration, admiration, and praise, to God — “Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever.” (Psalm 146:6). God is not only our Creator, He is the Christian’s God who has provided salvation for sinful man through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The holy Scriptures teach that God is sovereign. “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:5,6). This sovereign God reigns supreme with absolutely no equals or rivals. “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. All the gods of the peoples are worthless idols” (Psalm 96:4,5).
Psalm 33 speaks about God’s sovereignty as supreme ruler. And because of this, no one is higher in authority and power than He is. God has the absolute right to do all things in accordance with His perfect will, purposes, and divine pleasure. “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:8,9). As God speaks and commands, things happen just as he intends.
We also worship God because He alone is worthy of our worship. He and He alone deserves the heartfelt worship of His people.
Worthy to be honored and adored.
In His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus told her, “The true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23,24). This means if our worship is not according to spirit and truth, our worship is unacceptable to God. Worship is not “external.” Rather, worship must originate in our hearts with love, affection, and devotion to God, and appreciation for what He means to us.
True and sincere worship to God requires a deep sense of His holiness and righteousness. And the fact that He is great and of great power and His understanding is infinite. People can be very religious and yet they are falsely worshiping God. False worship is an attempt to bring the God of heaven down to man’s level without giving any thought to God’s worth as the God of heaven and earth, who Himself has declared: “I am the first and the last; besides me there is no god. (Isaiah 44:6).
The apostle Paul observed false worship in the very religious city of Athens. The Athenians were worshiping “the unknown god,” among other idols. Paul preached against it. “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands as though he needed anything.” (Acts 17:22-25).
The point is that since God — the Creator of the universe — is the source of everything. He needs absolutely nothing from man, neither does He live in temples made by man. God is exalted above all. He is the greatness, the power, and great glory.
The Revelation, the concluding book of the Bible, presents the heavenly scene where the four living creatures and twenty-four elders worship God. “And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying,
Lord God Almighty,
Who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power
and begun to reign.”
(The Revelations 11:16,17)
The holy Scriptures say much about the incomparable holiness of God. Exodus 15:11 tells us: “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” And this should definitely inspire and motivate Christians to worship the Almighty. Because of God’s holiness, we have been from sin set free. The result is that sin has completely lost its grip and dominion over us.
May God help us to know and appreciate the wonder and awe of His holiness, as He commands, “You shall be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16). We can therefore worship God in the beautify of His holiness. By being holy (set apart for God) in our hearts is one of great ways to truly and sincerely honor God.
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim.
— John Morsel