In today’s post, we’ll look at the connection between our worship and our theology. How does our view of God’s character affect the way we worship? Let’s examine this question together!
Last year, my eyeglasses broke and I hurried off to the eye doctor. When my new lenses came in, I realized that my prescription just wasn’t strong enough. Because of extenuating circumstances, I was stuck with them.
Recently, I misplaced them but needed to drive. Hurriedly, I dug around and found a very old, almost forgotten pair. Low and behold, the old glasses cleared my vision right up! How differently things looked!
With a clearer view, I “operated” better. I could see further and the things with blurred edges became crisp again.
Similarly, when we have a clearer view of who God is, we operate better, too. When we know His character, our worship becomes confident and well placed. (Hebrews 4:16)
What is Worship
Do you know what worship really is? Some Christians are surprised to learn that worship comprises more than just singing songs to God.
Worship is expressed any time God is revered by the worshiper.
Worship can be done through prayer, song, playing an instrument, walking in obedience, reading God’s word, declaring His lordship, and so on. Hands can be lifted or heads bowed and hands folded. Revering our God can take various forms.
There are two Greek main words for worship. The primary is proskuneo, which means “to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand” and the other is latreuo, which means “to serve, and in the New Testament, to render religious service or homage.”
Of proskuneo, Charles Ryrie (in his Basic Theology) says:
“This primary word for worship [proskuneo] is connected with the idea of kissing (as kissing the earth to honor the deities of the earth); then came to connote prostrating oneself in reverence. This showed that the worshiper considered the object worthy of whatever he was offering. Even the English word “worship” (a shortened form of “worthship”) means to attribute worth to the object worshiped.”
How Our Theology Affects Our Worship
Knowing God accurately affects our worship. Like I stated above, when we know His character, our worship becomes confident and well placed.
How do the following challenge you to worship God accurately? Do you need to grow or develop in any of these truths? Have conversations with God and ask Him to reveal any areas where He is calling you to believe better and practice confidently.
God is Always Available
I love this passage that reminds me that God is always watching over us:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-4)
We can come to God anytime! He is never too busy for His beloved children. We don’t have to feel like we’re a bother to God. He can keep the universe in balance all while caring for our most detailed needs. Night or day, we can come to Him.
God is Near
In John 4, Jesus meets with the woman at the well. In the longest recorded dialogue in the Gospels, Jesus tells her that though her people (the Samaritans) used to worship on Mount Gerazim, while the Jews worshipped in Jerusalem, the day was coming where God’s worshipers could worship anywhere as long as they offered it in spirit and truth!
He is always near His worshipers! When we reach out to Him, He is there for us, no matter our mode of reverence.
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
God never runs away from us. He isn’t unreachable; He is always, always near. Whether we feel guilty, lonely, hurt, ashamed, or desperate, God is present!
He Loves Us
As His children, we are adopted by a loving Father. (God is love. 1 John 4:8) He loves us so much, He sent Jesus to us.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“In love he predestined usb for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:4-6
Because God loves us so much, we do not have to be afraid. After all, “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). We can approach Him in worship knowing that He loves us immensely and will never reject us. There is nothing we can do to push ourselves beyond His love!
God is Good
Look at this beautiful passage (and read all of Psalm 145 if you have time):
“The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.” Psalm 145:8-9
God is loving and He is also good. Because of God’s goodness, we don’t have to fear condemnation or think He is withholding good from us. He is merciful, even when we deserve the opposite. We can approach Him confidently, hands lifted or folded in reverence, knowing that He will give us His very best!
He is Sovereign
Sovereignty is defined as having supreme power and authority. Our God is most definitely sovereign!
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
“My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.” Isaiah 46:10 b
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zepheniah 3:17
As we offer our worship to the Lord, we can remember to place our trust in His position and power. We serve a mighty God! He is above all and has complete authority over heaven and earth. God has complete control over all our circumstances, no matter the earthly outlook. He is totally trustworthy, all the time.
He is Truth
Because God is truth, we can always trust Him.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6
Truth is always true. In other words, it is consistent.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“For I the LORD do not change…” Malachi 3:6 a
Part of God’s truth is that He is always, consistently faithful.
“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 36:5
I’m so thankful to worship a God that doesn’t change. We live in an unstable world. Landmarks change, culture changes, technology moves at the speed of light, it seems. But God is a constant truth. He does not vary, waver, or deviate. He is the solid rock we can count on when the sand beneath us shifts (Matthew 7:24-27).
We worship God, our Rock and Redeemer, trusting that He will be a sure foundation in times of trouble. We can be certain that our Sympathizer (Hebrews 4:15) understands our hearts and minds and wants us to be secure in His refuge!
When we know God well, we can’t help but elevate Him in our hearts! We see Him for who He is. Then, we see ourselves in the shadow of His greatness.
We learn: “More of Him, less of me.”
And our worship is all the richer!
What Else?
What other attributes of God do you appreciate? Think about them in terms of worship. How do they affect how you worship and approach God? How do they affect your confidence in coming to Him in reverence?
Let us know your thoughts by sharing here in the comments or in our Facebook group.
Blessings,
Ali
[…] What is the connection between our worship and our theology? And how does our view of God’s character affect the way we worship? This post discusses what worship really is, and examines six characteristics of God and tells how they can practically affect our worship. […]