Worship is defined as reverence and adoration, giving our deepest affection and highest praise to someone or something. True worship of God is to prize Him above everyone and everything else. We are to put Him first in our lives by loving Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

God alone is worthy of all our worship, praise and adoration. He alone loves us with an everlasting, unconditional love. He is faithful to meet all our needs, and many times He shows up to do the impossible in our lives. He alone keeps His promises and brings His word to pass.

It is one thing to worship and praise God after He has answered our prayers and gotten us through difficult times, but quite another to believe Him and worship Him before He comes through for us. Many Bible characters are examples of worshiping God by faith before they see the answers.

An illustration of this is King Jehoshaphat. We read in 2 Chronicles 20 that three large armies were marching towards Israel declaring war, greatly outnumbering the Israelites. Even though Jehoshaphat was terrified when he heard this, he ordered all the people to fast, pray and seek the Lord for help. In verse 20 he cried out to God, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

As they prayed, God spoke to them through a prophet, telling them not to fear or be discouraged because of this vast army. The battle belonged to the Lord! They would not have to fight this battle, but were to take their positions, stand still, and watch the Lord bring the victory.

King Jehoshaphat believed the word of the Lord and bowed down and worshiped God, as did all the people. The next morning, they were to march out to the battlefield. The king showed his belief in God’s word by appointing singers to march ahead of the soldiers, praising and worshiping the Lord for what He was about to do.

At the very moment the worshipers started singing, God caused the three armies to begin to fight against each other. By the time the Israelite army reached the battlefield, all they saw were corpses lying everywhere. God had been true to His word. They would not have to fight this battle, and God gave a great victory.

We also see that God’s Son, Jesus, is worthy of all our praise. When Jesus began His ministry of preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, with miracles and healings following, word about Him spread far and wide. Many who were seeking the Messiah came to worship, and those who believed in His miracle working power sought Him out. 

A woman who had lived a sinful life was ready for a change. She was ready to worship Jesus before she knew what He would do. She brought an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and went to Him. She knelt before Him in submissive worship, weeping at His feet and wiping them with her hair. She kissed His feet and poured the perfume on them. Jesus responded to her worship and the love she showed to Him by forgiving her sins.

We also can choose to trust the Lord and believe His promises, worshiping Him before we see answers. We can bring our trials and suffering to Him, believing that He will make a way for us. That is true worship. 

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.