"Without Worship, We Go About Miserable" - A.W. Tozer

As believers, we are called to worship God. It is a command. God said so!

"Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." Matthew 4:10.

No doubt, there are so many ways in which we can worship Him. Through the study of the Word, in the stillness, in prayer, through instruction, through service to others - the list goes on and on.

On my heart today, though, is why Praise and Worship is so important. You know, the Praise and Worship that is prevelant in many churches today. The time of singing and expression to God that sets the table for what is to come - the teaching of the Word, the prayer, other forms of worship and whatever God wants to do. Why should we do it? No doubt, He alone is worthy of our devotion, praise, and worship. A.W. Tozer said, "Without worship, we go about miserable." Without worship, we are not being obedient. Lack of obedience could make one miserable, could it not? God does not want us to be miserable! And we won't be if we do as he instructs:

• "Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth." Psalm 96:9
• "Give unto the Lord the glory due his name, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2

Of course, the best way we can worship God is to live each day for him.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

However, we are also called to praise him. To be willing to exalt His name. To express our love. To celebrate him. To boast about Him. We should do this in our churches corporately, in our homes, in our cars, at our place of employment. Wherever.

"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1.

I have always found it amusing the things that people get excited about. The things that make them shout, jump up and down, cry with joy, dance a little jig. Surely, if you have sports-lovers in your life you have seen these reactions in your own living room when a favorite team scores or wins a game? No one has ever scored as big as Jesus. I'm just saying...

What does the Bible say about how we should praise? This may stretch some of you, but oh the joy when you let go of inhibitions and just praise him and worship freely. It is so pleasing to our God! It is not a spectator sport. It is not a performance to watch. It is about giving an offering to Him. It is about placing credit where credit is due. It is about taking our eyes off of ourselves and placing our eyes on Him. It is inviting him to inhabit our praise...and He will. So get a little uncomfortable and honor Him as His Word instructs us to!

• "Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strongs and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals" Psalm 150:3-5
• "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!" Psalm 47:1-2
• "The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the singers sang and the trumpeters played." 2 Chronicles 29:28
• "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you." Psalm 22:22
• "Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will life up my hands in Your name."

Praise can also usher in His presence and power. Not that it is a prerequisite, of course, because God is God and He can do what He wants, when He wants. However, I think of Paul and Silas bound up and in the dungeon of a prison - yet they chose to pray aloud and sing praises to God, while others moaned and cursed at their own circumstance in that place. You know what happened next! The ground shook, doors flung open, and their bonds were broken! God came down and rescued them, and their praise was a channel of faith for this miracle! The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people:

"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." Psalm 22:3

And what did the children of Judah do when they were surrounded by their enemies? They obeyed God, believing that this was his battle. They knew that God would come through for them. Their army was led by those who praised:

"Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever." Then then Scripture tells us, "...when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." 2 Chronicles 20:22.

God desires the praises of His people. When we learn to "shake off" the cares of this world, stop worrying about what others think, offer a sacrifice of praise, take our eyes off of ourselves, and give our praise to him - it fullfills God's command, it is beautiful, it is pleasing to Him, it is good, it ushers in the presence of the Lord, and His glory fills the temple. This is one of the great purposes for which He created us!

Praise and Worship is about Him - not about us! Give a little! Go about in "His marvelous light" and refuse to be miserable! Worship and praise Him. In the sanctuary. At home. Wherever you are. Every day. It is ok to get a little excited. I promise.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." 1 Peter 2:9

In awe of You, we worship

And stand amazed at Your great love

We're changed from glory to glory

We set our hearts on You our God

Now Your presence fills this place

Be exalted in our praise

As we worship I believe

You are near

Blessing and honor

And glory and power

Forever

Amen