Why Your Attitude About Worship is More Important than You Think

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What is worship?

It is:

n. – the reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to someone or something.
v. – to regard a person or object with great extravagant respect, honor, or devotion.

“Worship is giving God the best that He has given you.” We own nothing of worth to present to God in worship but ourselves. It is our ultimate sacrifice, giving God back the very life that He gave to us. It is our purpose and the reason we were created.” ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Yes, you and I were created to worship.

I like to define it like this…

Worship is much like loving God – heart, mind, soul, and strength. It is getting to know Him with our heads, cherishing Him in our hearts, and surrendering our lives to Him … through obedience, service, gratitude, and praise.

And yet, one of the most commonly disagreed about topics in many churches is “worship style.” Some believe it must be traditional others insist on contemporary. Some are pro pipe organ others prefer bands. There are those who insist on hymnals and pews and others want screens and theater seats.

There seem to be as many attitudes about the best way to worship as there are Christians.

But if we were created to worship . . . maybe style has more to do with us than with worship. Maybe we need to look at our attitude about worship more than our style of worship.

Today we get a glimpse of heavenly worship…

I saw a door standing open in heaven.

The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 

From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder.

Revelation 4:1a, 3, 5a

Around the throne were elders and beings giving the Lord “glory, honor, and thanks” saying:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Revelation 4:8b

It doesn’t sound like we’ll need a worship committee in heaven. The splendor and majesty of “the One sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever)” (4:9b) will give us all the same attitude about worship.

We will naturally do what we were created to do.

Whatever you and I may think about worship here on earth, I think we can all agree that our attitude should not be about you or me. Worship is about the One we worship . . . the Lord God Almighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Savior of our Souls.

Worship is living every day with a heart that proclaims…

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Revelation 4:11

A Prayer to Have a God Glorifying Attitude about Worship

Father, You created us for Your glory (Isaiah 43:7). You made us to worship (Isaiah 45:22–23). You sent Jesus to save us and give us everything we need to live with hearts full of praise. (John 12:44 & Psalm 66:4).

I want to worship and glorify You the way You want me to but I know how easily I can get distracted by life. How tempting it is to worship your creation more than I worship You (Romans 1:25). How often I give in to pridefully wanting to be the recipient of worship and praise myself (2 Timothy 3:2). How easily I place more importance on style than on attitude. Please forgive me.

You have given me everything I need to love You and love others. You alone are worthy of my worship and praise. Please give me a humble heart . . . a heart focused on You. You are the One who created and saved me. You are the One who gives me an eternal future filled with hope.

I give myself to You. I love You, Lord. Please help me live for Your glory with a heart full of worship and praise. Amen.

Pastor John Piper wrote the following about having an attitude of worship:

The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.

I think that’s the part we often miss . . . that God wants His children to experience that “deep, restful, joyful satisfaction” in Him.

When you and I focus our hearts and minds on the Lord in worship . . . our struggles get smaller and our peace, joy, and strength increase.

“Worship is an it-is-well-with-my-soul experience.” ~ Robert Webber

On today’s note write:

With God’s help, I will live with an attitude of worship that is centered on Jesus.

May God bless you today and give you that “deep, restful, joyful satisfaction” in Him.

Click here to read the rest of Revelations 4.

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