The Foundations of Worship

As we saw yesterday, worship is three-directional: inward, outward, and upward. Conveniently, Hebrews 13:15-16 touches on all three of these aspects of a worshiping life:

As you read this passage, notice that it concludes with these words: “for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

The aspect we are focusing on today is the third: worship pointed upward toward God. It is what most folks think of when they hear the word worship. In Hebrews 13:15 the upward direction involves two specific actions: praise and thanksgiving: “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (NKJV).

Praise is primarily acknowledging God for who He is. Thanksgiving, on the other hand, is giving thanks to God for what He has done for us.

We can be sure nothing ever happens to us that our loving God does not permit. After all, like Moses, He protects us “in the cleft of the rock” as He covers us with His mighty hand (Exodus 33:22, NKJV). His rod of correction and His staff of protection and direction should bring us great comfort at all times (Psalm 23:4). But let's be honest here. We know we should be humbly grateful. Yet there are times when we are tempted to be grumbly hateful!

Before any of us can give thanks and praise to the Father and really mean it, we too, must accept God's sovereignty in our hearts. There is a throne in heaven. And it is occupied! Our great God, mighty and majestic Father, is sitting on that throne right now. This world may seem as if it's spinning out of control, but God is still the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present King of Kings and Lord of Lords-the same God who loves you and me.

Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Notice that we are not told to give thanks for all circumstances, but rather in them. We are not expected to be thankful for problems and hardships that come our way. However, if we clearly understand that God reigns and that He is using our circumstances to make us more like Him and to bring greater glory, then we can be thankful to Him constantly, even while we are going through the tough times. This is sometimes called an attitude of gratitude.

An old song tells us, “Count your many blessings; see what God has done.” From time to time, I've found it both humbling and thrilling to make a list of things I'm thankful for: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Take some time to write down every blessing you can think of. Remember, blessings can come disguised as heartaches.

 Talk to God about anything in your life for which you are finding it hard to be thankful. Be honest and open with Him. He already knows what you are feeling anyway. Ask Him to help you be thankful in that situation. Ask Him to change your heart. Then decide to be thankful throughout your day today, deliberately looking for God's presence in each and every circumstance.