"The Act of Worship" March 31 Readings: 2 Samuel 22-24, Psalm 95

Today's Reading - 2 Samuel 22-24, Psalm 95

Background

Our readings today wrap up the life of David in 2 Samuel, recording the second of his two major sins. This time, he numbered the fighting men. Though this seemed like a small thing, it was big to God, because it was an act of pride and self-reliance instead of dependence on God.

Devotional - The Act of Worship

Wow, we had a great worship service today!

What do people mean when they say that? Usually, they mean that there was a full building and great enthusiasm. Maybe the music was rocking and they felt a sense of God's presence. Perhaps they refer to the sermon that the pastor preached when we opened the word of God and delivered the truth from heaven to the lives we live on earth.

And all of that matters. It matters that our hearts are lifted up in exaltation to God. Too many evangelical churches treat emotion like a disease. It ought never be the engine of worship, but if our time in God's presence with the Body of Christ does not move us deeply, something is not right. And the word of God ought to stir our souls as well. Pastors ought to bring powerful messages from the Bible that draw people to examine their lives and become like Christ.

But none of that is true worship. You can attend church, sing every song, stand and wave your arms, feel deep emotions, listen carefully to the sermon, take notes, and shout amen loudly, and still leave church without having worshiped the Living God. That is because there is a specific act of worship, inherent in the word itself, that is the sine qua non of the practice of worship. If you do this act, you have worshiped. If you do not, no matter what else you do, no matter how loudly, how enthusiastically, or how emotionally you do it, you have not worshiped.

Psalm 95:6-7 makes this absolutely clear.

Come, let us worship and bow down;let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God,and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep under his care.

When you truly worship God, you bow down before him, as a subject to a king. Worship is the act of bowing before the king and recognizing his absolute and complete authority over your life. "You are my Lord and King." That is worship.

• Worship is not singing songs, it is bowing before the King. 
• Worship is not listening to sermons, it is bowing before the King. 
• Worship is not giving offerings, it is bowing before the King. 

All of those acts are designed to help us worship, to bow down and give our lives anew to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Worship isn't about how you feel, it is about what you do. Did you bow the knee before your King and submit yourself again to him as your Lord?

Father, I worship you as my King. I bow my knee to you, humbly. You own me. You rule me. 

Think and Pray

When you attend church, when you read the Bible and pray, is it to have an "experience" with God, or is it to "worship and bow down" before your Creator, your Lord?
True worship is to bow down, to kneel before the Lord.