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August 24 – LD 34, Day 5: What is Worship?

Read: Proverbs 3:1-10

The catechism gives us a list of verbs as a description of worship. Each of these is worthy of our attention. Do you truly worship God alone? Worship is not limited to what you do in a church service. It involves your whole life. This is what worship is.

First, to worship God is to know Him, to have a right and proper knowledge of Him. This knowledge must come from the Bible. Only from the Scriptures can we know God. God is not who we feel or think He might be. He is not some abstract unknown idea. He is not to be discovered by science or reason. To know God, is to know Him as He has revealed Himself in the Word and by His Son (John 17:3).

Second, to worship God is to trust in Him. Perhaps this is the real test of whether one worships the true God. From day to day, are we trusting in the Lord, or leaning on our own understanding (Prov 3:5-6)? What gives us security as we go through life? Is it ourselves, our friends, our money, our job, our family, our education, our insurance policies, etc? God is almighty, faithful, true and trustworthy. He keeps His promises. He will never fail His people.

Third, to worship God is to submit to him with humility and patience. This means not only that we must obey Him, but especially that we must submit to the providence of God in our lives. Life can be very difficult, and God's people can be put through some very severe trials such as persecution, grief, sickness, poverty, anxiety, etc. These are real experiences. But God sends them. With humility, we recognize we don't deserve better. With patience, we trust that God knows what is best for us.

Fourth, to worship God is to expect all good things from God only. On what do you pin your hopes? In what do you find joy and solace in life? “Rejoice in the Lord, always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4). Our God is the God of goodness and blessing, the fountain of life. We must look to him, and not to any creature, for true happiness both for this life and the next.

Fifth, to worship God is to love Him. Our love for God should be total - “With all your heart, mind, soul and strength.” Every ounce of your strength, and every part of your being, must be used to love God. This love should be willing, sacrificial, dedicated and single. We must be consumed, intoxicated, with God.

Sixth, to worship God is to fear Him. To fear the Lord is to have a constant consciousness of who He is, in all His heavenly majesty, and to know who we are before Him. John Calvin said that this is all we really need to know, God and ourselves. The one who fears the Lord is directed in every action, thought and word by the awareness of God. He lives before the Lord.

Seventh, to worship God is to glorify him. To glorify God is to put Him first, and to see that He gets the recognition in everything we do. We are not here for ourselves, but God made us for Himself. How easily we forget this and live for our own reputation or pleasure. But, “of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Rom 11:36).

And eighth, to worship God is to obey him, “to renounce and forsake all creatures, rather than commit even the least thing contrary to his will.” The least thing – if we truly worship God, we will be concerned to obey him meticulously.

Pray that God may give you a heart and life of true worship.

Kleyn, Rodney

Rev. Rodney Kleyn (Wife: Elizabeth)

Ordained: Sept. 2002

Pastorates: Trinity, Hudsonville, MI - 2002; Covenant of Grace, Spokane, WA - 2009

Website: www.reformedspokane.org/

Contact Details

  • Address
    7317 N.Deschutes Dr.
  • City
    Spokane
  • State or Province
    WA
  • Zip Code
    99208
  • Country
    United States
  • Telephone
    509-926-0372