“Joyful Worship”May I ask you a question? What does worship mean to you? Is your desire to worship God similar to King David’s? The Psalmist said that he so desired God that his heart would “pant” like a deer that thirsts after water. David praised God precisely for
joy of seeing and savoring God! Worship is nothing less than obedience to command of God, “Delight thy self in Lord…” (Psalm 37:4).
Here’s an interesting thought. Pastor John Piper says, “The great hindrance to worship is not that we are a pleasure-seeking people, but that we are willing to settle for such pitiful pleasures.” Some would rather stay home from church and work yard than attend worship services. The message being sent is that yard work is much more pleasing than God. Again, we settle for far too little pleasure. The greatest pleasure on earth can be experienced in 30 minutes of radical, heart-felt praise unto God. In His presence is joy. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore. The greatest reward we can receive in this life or next is God Himself.
Many Christians think “things” can satisfy their souls. They go to God with a heart-felt request for some “thing.” When God, in His infinite mercy, gives it to them, they rejoice over “thing.” The answer to their request becomes reason for their joy. They never advance beyond seeking HAND of God when they should seek first His FACE. If you ask only for a HAND-out, God gives you only what’s in His hand; however, if you worship Lord simply for sheer joy of His presence, you’ll get not only His presence but what’s in His hands also. It’s time for Body of Christ to start panting after God. He’s looking for radical praisers.
May I make a suggestion how you might transform a superficial praise into life-changing worship. For powerful worship in church, I recommend that you come famished for God. Jesus Christ is Bread of Life, and I’m a big bread eater. I butter bread. I toast bread. I sop bread in gravy. I prepare my bread with jelly and honey, and I scarf it down. Yes, I’m a bread eating man. When I go to worship, I’m hungry for a move of God. I’m praising Him, hoping to be enveloped in His manifested presence. When His presence falls on me, my words and actions are different. They are anointed because of His presence. The Holy Spirit moves upon me, and then I move against enemy. The devil hates victorious praises unto our God. Because of that truth, I want to live in a state of worship and praise.
