Why Does God Want Us To Worship Him?
Worship is a central part of many people’s relationship with God. But why does God want us to worship Him in the first place? This is a question that has been pondered by theologians and philosophers for centuries.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: God wants us to worship Him because He is worthy of worship as our all-powerful, all-knowing Creator. Worship brings us into a right relationship with God and reminds us of our dependence on Him.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore the biblical reasons why God seeks our worship and outline the theological explanations from prominent thinkers over the centuries. We will also look at the personal and spiritual benefits that come from worshiping our Creator.
God Seeks Our Worship Because He is Worthy of Worship
God is the Supreme Being and Creator
As the all-powerful Creator of the universe, God is supreme over all creation. The Bible declares that “in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). He existed before anything else, and all things were made by Him.
As the uncaused First Cause and the source of all that exists, God rightfully deserves our worship and allegiance. Humbling ourselves before Him aligns us properly with reality.
God is Perfect and Holy
God is absolutely perfect, lacking in nothing. He is righteous, just, loving, merciful and kind beyond our comprehension. God is holy, set apart from all other beings, perfect in goodness and purity. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Because of His supreme holiness, God is worthy to be praised and adored by all creation. As finite creatures, worshiping Him puts us in proper perspective.
Worship Aligns Us to God’s Greatness
Human beings were designed for worship. If we fail to worship God, we will worship something else – an idol of our own making. Worshiping the true and living God recalibrates our hearts and lives around what is ultimate. This empowers us to love God and other people rightly.
Regular worship reminds us of God’s greatness and His grace toward us in Jesus Christ. It fills our hearts with thanksgiving and overflows into purposeful living for God’s glory.
Worship Develops Our Relationship with God
Worship Cultivates Intimacy with God
Developing true intimacy with God starts with worship. As we praise and adore Him, we draw nearer to His presence. King David, who was called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), cultivated a close relationship with God through heartfelt worship.
The Psalms overflow with David’s expressions of intimacy with his Creator.
Just as human relationships require quality communication to thrive, so our divine relationship depends on the spiritual exchanges of worship. Setting aside regular personal worship times to focus solely on God fosters the depth of relationship He desires.
Worship Helps Us Know God Better
Worship opens our spiritual eyes to better comprehend God’s magnificence. As we ponder His goodness and greatness, we gain insight into His nature and character. Through worship, we discover more of who He is, how He works, and what He expects of us. Our worship Raid expands our understanding.
In worship, God also reveals more of Himself to us. He discloses deep truths from His Word that we have not grasped before. He impresses spiritual realities upon our hearts in new ways. Worship is a two-way stream of revelation that enlightens us about our Maker.
Worship Keeps God at the Center of Our Lives
Regular, heartfelt worship orients everything around God rather than ourselves. Setting aside consistent times to magnify the Lord keeps Him in focus as life’s reference point. Worship reinforces God’s rightful place over all our affairs.
The more we exalt God through worship, the smaller our problems seem and the more manageable life becomes. Worship brings proper perspective when troubles or challenges arise. Keeping our eyes fixed on the Almighty through worship ensures He remains central no matter what we face.
Worship Reminds Us of Our Dependence on God
We Rely on God for Everything
As human beings, we are completely dependent on God for our very existence and sustenance. God is the creator and sustainer of all life. He provides us with the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the abilities we have.
Without God, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything or even live (Acts 17:28). Worship helps us recognize and remember this vital truth – that God is the source of all blessings in our lives.
Through worship, we acknowledge that everything we have – our health, family, talents, and possessions – ultimately comes from God. He is the one who enables us to work and earn a living (Deuteronomy 8:18). Worship keeps us humble by reminding us that we rely fully on God’s grace and provision.
Worship Keeps Us Humble Before God
Pride and self-sufficiency are big temptations for us as human beings. We start thinking we don’t need God or relying on Him. But worship combats this attitude by reminding us how small and limited we really are compared to God.
When we worship, we exalt God for His greatness, majesty, and glory. We recognize that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and omnipresent. Compared to God, we are finite and limited in every way. Worship keeps our perspective straight by humbling us before our infinite, almighty Creator.
King David had the right attitude when he declared, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is a human being that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).
We are but dust before the God who spoke the universe into existence. Worship reminds us of our true place before Him.
Worship Combats Pride and Self-Sufficiency
One of the greatest barriers in our relationship with God is pride. When we start thinking we don’t need God, that we can handle life on our own, we drift from Him. But consistently worshiping God takes down our pride and remind us of how desperately we need Him.
In worship, we declare our dependence and trust in God. We surrender control to Him, acknowledging that we need His wisdom, strength, and guidance every day. Worship requires humility, and in the process, it weakens our pride and self-reliance.
The truth is, apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But worship keeps us in a posture of humility, recognizing that we need God’s help and grace to live the Christian life. It combats the independent, self-sufficient attitude that often overtakes us and draws us back to reliance on God.
Theological Perspectives on Why God Wants Worship
St. Augustine’s View of Worship
St. Augustine believed that worship was a way for humans to properly orient their loves and desires. As an infinite being, Augustine argued that God alone is worthy of complete devotion and praise. By worshipping God, we learn to love that which is most excellent and perfect.
Augustine also saw worship as a means of grace to transform worshipers. As we gaze upon God’s glory and goodness, we are changed to become more like him.
Martin Luther’s Perspective on Worship
The Protestant reformer Martin Luther viewed worship as a means for us to receive God’s gifts rather than to give something to God. We do not praise God to fulfill some obligation or because God needs our praise. Rather, God desires us to worship him so that we can receive his blessings and grace.
Through preaching, baptism, the Lord’s Supper and music in worship services, Luther believed Christians experience the gift of salvation and have their faith strengthened.
John Calvin on Worship as Service to God
John Calvin taught that the purpose of worship is to reverence, honor and serve God. Human beings owe worship to God because of our complete dependence on his power. Calvin said that worship should inspire sincere piety in people as they are called to deny themselves and follow God’s direction.
He promoted simplicity in worship that brings focus to hearing and responding to the word of God. The singing of psalms was important for Calvin because it helped believers offer praise, thanksgiving and commitment to the Lord.
Practical Benefits of Worship for Our Lives
Worship Gives Us Purpose and Meaning
Engaging in worship connects us to something greater than ourselves and gives our lives a sense of meaning and purpose (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Through praise and thanksgiving, we recognize God’s sovereignty, goodness and love.
This fuels us with passion and inspires us to live for eternal reasons rather than just temporary, worldly pursuits. Worship reminds us that life is about more than just us.
In worship, we align our values with God’s standards and principles as revealed in the Bible. This gives moral clarity and helps us make wise decisions that honor God. Rather than be tossed around by changing cultural values, worship anchors us to biblical truth and an eternal perspective.
Worship Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Focusing our thoughts on God through worship directs our mind away from our problems and worries. As Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Releasing our cares to the Lord through prayerful worship brings peace and eases anxiety.
Worship also reminds us of God’s power, love and control over all things. This builds our trust in Him to work out every circumstance for our long-term good, reducing stress and worry (Romans 8:28). Singing praise is scientifically shown to lift mood, lower cortisol and boost health.
Worship Provides Community and Connection
One of the blessings of collective worship is that it unites us with other believers. There is something powerful about voices joined in praise (Psalm 149:1). It creates connection and community across backgrounds, races, ages and social statuses. We are bonded in our common love for Christ.
In worship services and small groups, we can encourage each other, pray for each other and build relationships. We are strengthened in our faith when we see God working in other people’s lives. The church provides spiritual family where we can experience intimacy, accountability, growth and use our gifts to serve.
Conclusion
In summary, God seeks our worship because He alone is worthy of our praise and devotion as our perfect Creator. Worship brings us closer to God, reminds us of our dependence on Him, and provides many benefits for our spiritual growth and wellbeing.
As we open our hearts to worship God, we begin to see more of His majesty, goodness and love. Worshipping God is an essential part of the Christian walk and helps us fulfill the purpose for which we were created.
