What is Included in True Worship?

Psalms 95:1–11
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What do you think of when you think of worship? Maybe you think of music and a worship team standind up front. John 4:23 tells us that God is seeking people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. It has as much to do with our heart attitude as it does with the words we say or sing. During my life time I have had the privilege of traveling and ministering in almost 50 countries and many of the states in the United States and have been in hundreds of Churches. Each country and each culture usually has a different kind of worship service but each one seeking to worship the same God. Psalm 95 helps us see what is needed in order to have a true worship service. In this chapter I can see three parts of God’s invitation to worship:

1. A call to rejoice. (vv. 1-5) - This passage gives at least four characteristics of worship:

A.Worship is collective. Three times in verses 1 and 2 we read “Let us...”

B.Worship is vocal. Participation through singing and praising is a vital part (v. 2).

C.Worship is vibrant. We are to participate with a joyful spirit and enthusiasm (v. 2).

D.Worship is God-centered. To be on the one worshiped and not on the worshiper (vv. 3-5).

2.A call to reverence. (vv. 6-7)

A. The focus changes from God our creator to God our redeemer and Savior (vv. 6-7).

B. Bowing and kneeling helps us accept our place before Him while acknowledging His place before us (vv. 6-7).

3.A call to respond. (vv. 8-11)

A. Worship includes listening to the Word and letting it correct our attitudes (vv. 7-8).

B. Worship without obedience is worthless and causes our hearts to harden (vv. 9-10).

C. Rest is found in exuberant rejoicing, with reverence and immediate response (v. 11).

This Psalm with its reference to the wilderness wanderings, may have been composed by David (Heb. 4:7) for the Feast of the Tabernacles (Psa. 81). During this feast the people of Israel lived in booths, remembering God’s provisions for them in the wilderness. After a call to worship (vv. 1-7),  a voice of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 3:7) breaks in and reminds the people of the dangers of rebellion.

Application

As a Christian I need to open the door of my life to Christ and make sure that I have not shut Him out in any area. He is knocking and I hold the key to letting Him in.