Part 1
“The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.”
– J.S. Bach
People go through life looking for meaning and often not satisfied. Apart from God, they will think about their past, present and future, often with a longing, an emptiness.
To some, we’re merely a random mishmash of atoms, a product of blind evolution, wandering through life without a clear purpose or contribution, and no clear destination As Christians our faith says something different, the Bible holds the truth:
“In the beginning there was God….”
From the beginning of time it was God who was present before it all. We need to start realizing that everything that is in motion around us, the seen and unseen all started from the mind and creation of One Great Creator and that is our God.
King David understood fully well (Psalm 19:1) “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Everything that our own eyes can see points us to God Almighty. King Solomon: the wisest of all, tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that, “God planted eternity in the human heart.” This verse explains why we are not satisfied with earthly endeavors and achievements. Humans are born with a deep, inner longing to comprehend our eternal purpose and know our infinite Creator. We yearn for something more, something greater than ourselves; and that ‘greater’ is God Himself.
God designed all creation, to point towards Him, to bring glory to Him. The Bible echoes all of this in such a way that every psalmist, priest, prophet, and creature all respond in an explosion of praise and worship to the Living God, Anything that gets in the way is trampled down or crushed along the way.
Even the salvation of His people from the realities of sin and death is because God loves us and for His own glory. That gives us that holy perspective that our salvation isn’t only for us not to go to hell but a display of the perfect love of God and His glory.
The Apostle Paul said…
“What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory” -Romans 9:22-23
Creation all points back to Jesus Colossians 1:16 says, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
Hence the experience of worship should be fashioned and revolve entirely on the source of everything not on the giver of it. Worship is all about the one you are worshiping. It’s all about God, the perfect Father, Saviour, Redeemer, the Almighty, the Alpha and Omega.
Our worship should point to who God is. As you read the Bible and get to know God, you will learn more about Him. The more you know, the more you will be filled with awe, reverence, love, and desire to respond in worship.
From the origin of its word Prokuneo we can safely assume that worship is an undignified act. It cares to only highlight one being worshiped, it seeks to honor, demands a huge sacrifice, and brings out a declaration that no other being in a man’s heart is far more important than offering pleasing worship of the one he worships. As Christians this is the one true God.
Questions:
- What are some different attributes of God, that move you to worship? And why?
- What are some things that get you focused on God and worship?
- Seeing that our purpose is to worship, how do you view your current life choices in the light of honoring and worshiping God?
- How do you balance acknowledging God’s greatness with staying humble during worship? What helps you find that balance?
Part 2
Questions:
- What ideas of who you are and what you want to be are from the world or your human nature?
- What ideas of who and what you would like to be are from the Bible?
- How can you be a life changer on your worship team?
- How can you show God’s love and kindness to those on your team?
Reflection:
Ask God to reveal views and ideas that are not from Him. Spend some time asking Him to lead you, and show you areas of your life, goals, or plans that need to be surrendered to Him.
Prayer:
Dear Father,Knowing now that all glory belongs to You, may my heart always be filled with reverence and honor as I look at your mighty presence and being. Forgive me for the times I have brought You the worship You deserve. May I live a life that honors and pleases You. I surrender my plans and my desires to You and ask that Your will be done in my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.