The Benefits of Worship
What Worship Does
If there is one point that I believe I have made clear through the first few posts this month, it is that worship is not about us. Showing honor, glory, and reverence to our Lord through our lives is not dependent on anything that has to do with our achievements or status, but has everything to do with who God is and what He has done. With that being said, you may be wondering, ‘Then why are we talking about worship being a benefit?’ Even though worship is all for the glory of God alone, I believe that His word shows us that it is in the believer’s best interest to live a life of worship as well. When talking about the results of genuine worship, Dr. Wayne Grudem lists out 7 results that take place according to scripture. Dr. Grudem notes, “When we worship God, truly giving Him glory in our hearts and with our voices, several things happen as a result: We delight in God, God delights in us, we draw near to God, God draws near to us, God ministers to us, the Lord’s enemies flee, and unbelievers know they are in God’s presence.” Let’s dissect God’s Word and see how these things are so.
Delighting & Drawing Near
First, let’s see how we delight in the Lord and how He delights in us. When David is praising God in Psalm 16, we see what it truly means to delight in the Lord. Psalm 16:11 says, “11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Worshiping our Lord didn’t just make David joyful, he quite literally found the ‘fullness of joy’ while doing so. Of all the problems and terrible situations that David has found himself in, he is still willing to admit that the most joyful place that he can find is worshiping the Lord in His presence. Imagine how much more joyful we would be if we realized this. How much smaller would our problems look to us if we worshiped the Lord and showed reverence to His name even amid persecution? I’d be willing to bet the joy we would have would be unexplainable and our delight for God Himself would grow immensely. Not only do we delight in the Lord when we worship, but God Himself delights in us. Look at what Isaiah reminds us of when he’s talking about the future of God’s people. Isaiah 62:3-4 notes, “3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called, “My delight is in her,” And your land, “Married”; For the Lord delights in you, And to Him your land will be married.” God’s redeemed children are beautiful to Him. We are no longer forsaken strangers to Him, but we have been redeemed to worship Him with our lives. This very act is why Isaiah so clearly says, “For the Lord delights in you”. May the Lord be delighted by the worship we bring Him.
Furthermore, when we worship, we are drawn closer to God and He draws closer to us. The author of Hebrews shows us both of these acts beautifully taking place when describing the old and new covenant. Hebrews 12:18-24 says, “18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” As God’s people who are on this side of the cross, we can approach God almighty in worship because of what Christ has accomplished for us. No longer are we under the judgment of the law where we can’t even approach the mountain of God’s presence, but we are now made perfect because of Jesus, our mediator. What a shame it is for God’s children to act as if the price hasn’t been paid for us to approach our Lord in worship. May we never take for granted what Christ has done for us, but rather, may we take full advantage of it by running to our Lord in worship. As we draw near to Him because of Christ, He draws near to us because of Christ. What a perfect mediator we have in Jesus.
Who Worship Effects
What about how God ministers to us? There is perhaps no better passage where this is seen than 2 Corinthians 3:18 “18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” Paul is speaking here to the church in Corinth about the new covenant that they are now under. And the last thing he shows us in this chapter is that while we behold God’s glory, we are transformed into the image of Christ by His Spirit. Now that’s a powerful statement! Not only does God delight in our worship, but He responds to it by making us more like Christ. What a beautiful picture of the Good Shepherd and His sheep. Lastly, worship also affects God’s enemies and unbelievers as well. It is amazing how many times we see worshipers at the forefront of God’s army in His word. A great example of this is seen in 2 Chronicles 20:22 “22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.” The Lord’s enemies flee not when his children attack, but rather when they begin singing and praising the Lord. How amazing it is that our Lord fights for us when we glorify His name! For the unbeliever, Paul makes it clear that during our weekly worship gatherings, unbelievers may experience God. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 says, “24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” When we worship and preach the Word of God at our worship services, I pray that the lost will be convicted and find the Lord. What great results await us as we worship the Lord! Yes, our worship is all for the glory of God, however, I hope and pray that as you see these benefits of worship, you will be encouraged to give more honor and glory to His name. May we worship the Lord knowing that we aren’t just singing a song, but that we are delighting in Him, drawing near to Him, being ministered to, and that even God’s enemies and unbelievers can’t help but notice Him!
Sources
[1] “Access Your Bible from Anywhere.” BibleGateway.Com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages., www.biblegateway.com/. Accessed 2023.
[2] Grudem, W. (1994). Systematic Theology : An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA79455700
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