Praise is powerful, transforming. Worship connects us to God and to one another. Praise has the ability to awaken, refresh, and restore the soul. Psalm 150 tells us whom to worship, the Lord! Our tendency is to be distracted and drift, allowing our affections to focus on lesser gods. To keep our eyes focused on God, we need to redirect our attention to Him often! The Shema, recorded in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, instructs us to remember that the Lord alone is our God. We should love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength. We need to regularly refocus our wandering attention on Him.

Where should we worship? The Psalm tells us to worship God in his sanctuary and to praise him in his mighty heavens. The sanctuary refers to the temple, the house of worship, the church. It is important to gather for worship. Corporate worship is unifying. When people lift their voices together, sing the same words at the same time, there’s a deep connection. When you’re going through a difficult time it’s easy to withdraw, but that’s a big mistake. When you join with others singing and praising, it strengthens and replenishes your soul. It doesn’t make everything alright, but it helps you gain perspective and fosters hope. Your soul can be encouraged and replenished in the act of worship.

Why do we worship? We worship because our God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. We were created with a longing to know and worship God, but our culture drains it out of us. We do all kinds of crazy, emotional, expressive things to show support for our favorite team, actor, band, or “you name it.” However, many are uncomfortable giving any energy or expressiveness in worshiping our Savior, Redeemer, King! There is a difference between viewing and engaging, observing and connecting, going through the motions and investing your heart, mind, soul, and body. If your worship is lifeless and flat, maybe you need to re-focus your attention on the greatness of God. In Acts 17:28, Scripture says, “For in him we live and move and exist.” He is our everything and worthy of all praise, glory, and honor!

How do we worship? The Psalm says to worship with all kinds of instruments, make some noise!! Other scriptures guide us to be still, to meditate, to appreciate God’s creation, to dance, to sing and shout! The Apostle Paul stated that everything we do is worship. The way we live our lives whether alone, with our family, at our workplace, in the community, all that we do is worship.

Verses: (Ps 150:1 NIV) Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. (Ep 5:19 ERV) Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. (Ps 150:2 NIV) Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. (Ps 150:3-5 NIV) Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with strings and pipes, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Scriptures: Psalm 35:18, 63:4, 66:4, 150:1; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Ephesians 5:19; Psalm 150:2; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Psalm 150:3-6

Questions: How do you worship privately? In community, do you worship freely? Do you worry about what people think of you as you worship? Do you ever think someone is worshiping in a way to gain attention? Do you ever see someone who is very quiet and assume they aren’t worshipping? What does worship look like to you?

Why do people often withdraw from community when they are going through a difficult time?

Prayer: Dear God, Let this be my anthem. (Psalm 34:1-3) I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.