Essential Ingredients of Worship
An essential part of worship is giving credit where credit is due. That's why the author of this verse starts out with the word "ascribe", which means to credit or attribute something. Not a word that we throw around in everyday conversations; I think probably the only place I've ever seen it is either the Bible or a dictionary.
When you go into a courtroom, the judge is ascribed the phrase "your honor". The phrase "the honorable" before a name is also used to describe a lot government big wigs - senators, congressmen, etc. When the president goes abroad he enjoys the title of "Excellency". If you've been knighted by the Queen of England, you're a "sir". (You know, like Paul McCartney or Elton John!) These are titles attached to names to which we ascribe a certain status.
It may be simplifying things a little, but true worship can exist in simply ascribing glory to the name of our God. Awesome God. Beautiful Savior. Magnificent Redeemer. When we sing songs of adoration to God that use these kinds of terms, we are ascribing, or giving Him credit where it's due.
Of course, there's more to the verse, and that gives us a couple other items to consider about worship - first, that we are to bring an offering. I think most believers understand that our offering is an act of worship. Perhaps what we take for granted, or what we seem to forget, is that the offering itself is not what is most important, it's the attitude of the heart that goes with it. A man could give his wife a very expensive and beautiful piece of jewelry. . . but if there's no love to accompany the gift, the gift is tarnished right from the beginning. ( I suspect the wife would force herself to wear it however) Women seem to know these things. They'll know if their man is really giving from the heart or not. Just as God knows as well. People give for many reasons. Some give to increase their status. Some give because it creates political clout. (yes, even in the church) Some give out of guilt. Some give simply because they are told to do so. The ONLY right motivation for giving is in doing it as an act of worship. God doesn't need our offerings, hard as that is to understand. God has everything He needs. What He wants is our worship, our love, our devotion. That's what an offering is all about.
Finally, we are told to "worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness." Holiness is perfection. Perfection in action, thought, conduct and intent. Perfection in truth. Perfection in every facet of existence. We as flawed human beings find it difficult to fathom that kind of perfection. But we can recognize it in the God whom we worship. Purity is splendid! Imagine standing in the presence of absolute purity and perfection. I'm pretty sure you'd find that splendid.
So there you have it - three essential elements of worship - ascribing worth, giving from the heart, and acknowledging the pure holiness of His being. Now that's worship.
Created about 2 years ago
