Thank you for being here to read the post today! This week we will begin looking at Who God is and why He is worthy of true worship. From my experience, I have taken note of the fact that many people are not aware of what the Word of God reveals concerning our worship of God. Then, we will continue this theme next week. Eric

As we begin our study on “worship” today, we first need to define ‘worship.’ Then, we will examine ‘Who’ is to be worshiped and why!

The Greek word for ‘worship’ is proskyneo, which means prostrate oneself in homage. Merriam Webster’ defines ‘worship’ as: to show reverence, to regard with great respect, honor or devotion.

To establish “Who” is worthy to be worshiped, we will look at the following Scripture reference. God, the Lord fashioned and created the heavens, the earth, and everything in it. He breathed the breath of life into man, making him a living being. (Isaiah 42:5).

Your creation was very personal and intimate! Psalm 139 reveals that the Lord formed and knitted you together in your mother’s womb. He formed every tissue, organ, muscle, and embroidered you with various colors, i.e. white bones, blue veins and red arteries! In fact, you are fearfully and wonderfully made by Your Creator!

Realizing how amazingly complex our earthly body is and how the ten systems, which the Father created, each fulfill a specific function and work together for us to have sustained life, is remarkable. It boggles the mind though, to know that our Creator did something even more amazing than that!

The Creator breathed the “breath of life” (Genesis 2:7) into you! “God breathed into man’s nostrils and man became a living being. Man took his first breath aided by the Creator who shared His own breath with him.” (Word Wealth, NSFLB)

John 1:4a reads that, “In Him was life.” “He gave humankind the precious life that only God has to give.” (textual notes, NSFLB).

To gain more insight into the only One Who is worthy of worship, we need to consider God’s attributes and nature, so we can fully understand why He is worthy!

As always, the Scriptures are our source of truth.

In describing God, 1 Timothy 1:17 reveals, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” “Eternal” King indicates He is ever living and ever able to redeem; He is One who will never see decay or corruption; One who can not be seen but works everywhere; He possesses wisdom above any creature, including man.

God is light and there is absolutely no darkness in him. (1 John 1:5). In fact, we are told that in heaven there will be no need of light from a lamp or the sun, because the Lord will give light. (Revelation 22:5)

He is:

Alpha and Omega - the beginning and end, the One who is, was, and is to come (Revelation 1:8)

The fountain of living water (Jeremiah 17:13) - He’s the source of our natural and eternal life.

Creator — He fashioned heaven and earth and everything in it. (Isaiah 42:5)

Sustainer - He supports, upholds, and provides for us. (Psalm 54:5)

Provider - He supplies all our needs (Philippians 4:19)

Healer - He heals all our diseases and the brokenhearted. (Psalm 103:3/Psalm 147:3)

El Shaddai - He is The Almighty God who is unconquerable, all sufficient, and eternally capable of being all that people need.

Forgiver - He forgives all your iniquity. (Psalm 103:3)

Love - Agape, He is unconditionally patient, kind, not envious, not arrogant, not rude, not resentful, not irritable, nor boastful (John 4:8/1Corinthians 13:4-8)

Helper - He supports, protects, aids, and surrounds (Psalm 121:2)

Truth - He does not lie. (Titus 1:2)

Promise Keeper - He always keeps His promises. (Psalm 145:13)

His name is called: (Isaiah 9:6)

Wonderful - Extraordinary

Counsellor - Advisor, consulter, cares for

Prince of Peace - Completeness, soundness, safe, quiet, tranquility and contentment

This is by no means a comprehensive list, however, there can be no doubt that we serve an awesome God! He is worthy to be praised! (Psalm 18:3 ESV).

The next two questions we need to focus on are:

Who is to worship God?

In what manner are we to worship Him?

We see the answer to the first question in Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!”

The manner in which we are to worship Him is revealed in John 4:23b, “true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.” To review, ‘worship,’ proskyneo in the Greek means to prostrate oneself in homage. Merriam Webster’s definition includes: to regard with great respect, honor, or devotion, and to show reverence,

“He wants us to live a life of worship because it is through the acts of worship that we experience constant communion and fellowship with Him. An intimate relationship with Him is the paramount experience that He desires to have with us.” (Kingdom Dynamics, NSFLB).

True worship must be ‘in spirit,’ that is engaging the whole heart. (Mark 12:30). “Unless there is a real passion for God, there is no worship in spirit.” (gotquestions.org). To worship God in spirit can be an audible declaration of our love, gratitude, adoration, and devotion to Him. (Kingdom Dynamics, NSFLB).

At the same time, worship must be ‘in truth’ that is properly informed. John 8:31 and 32 reveals that, if we do not depart from, and abide and cleave to His Word, we will know the truth. Unless we have knowledge of the God we worship, there is no worship in truth.

“The more we know about God, the more we appreciate Him. The more we appreciate Him, the deeper our worship becomes. The deeper our worship, the more God is glorified. The truth of God is of infinite value, worthy of infinite passion.” (gotquestions.org)

Also, to ‘worship in truth’ is to present to Him a heart that is pure and free of anything that is unpleasing in His presence. (Kingdom Dynamics, NSFLB)

True worship is not a particular place, a particular body position, or not even what is spoken. True worship is an expression of the heart, which comes from a relationship with God.

Bowing the heart, will, and our entire being to His will, in whatever form it takes, this is true worship!

Worship is an attitude of total submission and obedience, which is an acknowledgement of God’s superiority or importance.

Our prime example of a true life of worship, one which was totally submissive to God was that which Jesus lived. When facing the cross, He declared to the Father, “Not my will but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). When He was being persecuted by Jews who also tried to kill Him, He informed them that He did only those things which the Father did. (John 5:19).

Remember, our very existence came about as a result of the ‘breath of life’ being breathed into us by our Creator!

The spoken Word became flesh and dwelt among us - that Word - Jesus, came to earth to sacrifice Himself to be our Savior. Get to know the Word of God and Him intimately. Fall more and more in love with Him and worship Him passionately.

Worshiping our Heavenly Father in spirit and truth is not optional. It is what He desires, expects, and deserves!

Our next post will focus on Biblical ways to worship! You don’t want to miss it!

Unless otherwise noted Scripture references were taken from the Christian Standard Bible.

ESV English Standard Version

NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible