Worship

WORSHIP

Worshiping God is simply praising Him.

Praising God is often expressed in a hymn.

When the angels announced Christ's birth to the shepherds

that night long ago as they watched over their herds,

the angels sang in worship:

"Glory to God in the highest!"

Those words have been composed into a hymn.

Next time you sing this hymn, you are worshiping.

"Angels we have heard on high

sweetly singing o'er the plains,

and the mountains in reply

echo back their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!"

Which means "Glory to God in the highest!"

Praising God in song is one way to worship.

The shepherds worshiped through their witness, telling

everyone all they had heard and seen that evening.

Shepherds who were considered unclean in that day's society

as they prepared sacrificial lambs as directed by legality.

Yet God used the lowly, the humble, the rejected,

to proclaim His gift of salvation to the world.

The shepherds worshiped Jesus Christ the Lord

by telling everyone all they had seen and heard.

Their testimony to what they had witnessed

is in keeping with God's wonderful promise

as the prophet's prophesied long before

to kings in their kingdoms and to the poor.

Joseph worshiped through his obedience.

Joseph's obedience showcased his reverence

to the God he served

and wholly adored.

He was ready, willing, and available

to do whatever God directed, though incredible.

Mary's prayer in Luke 1 records her worship.

Her prayer expresses her soul's and spirit's

total devotion

and compassion.

Her prayer even includes us when she refers to generations.

Her prayer reminds us of God's mercy and faithfulness in action.

Mary's prayer shows us she was acquainted with scriptures

so we can deduce she worshiped God by studying scriptures.

She spent time with Elizabeth and Zechariah,

who could be referred to as her spiritual mentors,

as they were upright in God's sight,

doing what God said was right.

Simeon, being righteous and devout, though waiting,

worshiped by being in tune to God's leading.

Simeon was waiting for God's promise.

He prayed praising God for keeping His promise,

for bringing God's promised gift of salvation:

to the Gentiles, a light of revelation;

to God's people, Israel, His glory -

revealing the fulfillment of God's story.

The prophetess, Anna, worshiped night and day,

fasting and praying, giving thanks always.

She loved God with all her heart,

all her soul, all her mind, and all her strength.

Not only had she believed God's promise of salvation,

she witnessed God's gift personally when she saw God's Son.

We read that the wise men worshiped the Christ child

after traveling months and months, mile after mile,

following a bright, shining star

which guided them from afar,

when they presented to Him their treasures.

Treasures meant for a king, they were.

* * * * *

Worshiping God is expressing our love.

Several ways to worship are mentioned above.

Let's review:

We worship God through:

singing,

obeying,

trusting,

praying,

giving,

praising,

listening,

waiting,

focusing,

fasting,

thanking,

serving,

loving,

believing.

We also worship God through:

obedience,

reverence,

devotion,

compassion,

studying scriptures,

spiritual mentors.

These are just a few ways to worship

all leading to personal relationship

with the Creator

who became our Savior,

who loves you more than anyone,

who desires you believe and come

to Him through a simple prayer

from your heart and soul where

confession

and declaration

that you believe God's promise of forgiveness

and eternity are yours to receive. Be blessed.

Believe

and receive.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,

praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest."

Luke 2:13-14

When they had seen him,

they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:17-18

The shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:20

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,

during the time of King Herod,

Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,

"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

We saw his star in the east

and have come to worship him."

Matthew 2:1-2

After they had heard the king,

they went on their way,

and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them

until it stopped over the place where the child was.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary,

and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Matthew 2:9-11

A priest named Zachariah..., his wife Elizabeth...

Both of them were upright in the sight of God,

observing all the Lord's commandments

and regulations blamelessly.

Luke 1:5-6

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.

Luke 2:28-32

There was also a prophetess, Anna...

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day,

fasting and praying.

Coming up to them at that very moment,

she gave thanks to God

and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward

to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

and with all your soul,

and with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

Mark 12:30