What's the big deal with worship?

Asking the question, "What's the big deal with worship?" is like asking, "What's the big deal with God?"

     Worship is all about God Almighty! Worship is giving honor, praise and thanks to something or someone of worth. For the Christian, it's God! You might admire a dear friend or esteem a courageous individual, but only God is to be worshipped. He is the audience of one in our lives. His magnificence deserves it, and His nature demands it!

     When John gets a glimpse into heaven, he writes about the elders and creatures that are around the throne. Watch what happens while they are in the presence of God Almighty: "And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:9-11 ESV).

     Here's the big deal. When one knows God (has a relationship with Him) and then comes into the presence of God with other Christians (deciding to give glory, honor and thanks to Him), the action is always the same - worship. Worship is a decision. It is a choice to lower ourselves and lift Him up. This choice becomes more and more natural to believers as they spend time in God's Word (truth) and spend time developing the right attitude (spirit). That's why Jesus said, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24 ESV).

     It is told that noblemen were gathered one day in London waiting for the King of Great Britain. They all knew him personally, yet they all honored him as their king. When he entered, they stood solemnly to their feet. "Take your seats, gentlemen. I count you as my personal friends." Then he said jokingly, "I'm not the Lord, you know!" Immediately one of the noblemen, a Christian, said, "No, sir. If you were our Lord we would not have stood to our feet; we would have fallen to our knees!"

     God alone is to be worshipped! For Christians there are indirect benefits of worship, like edification and instruction. However, it's all about Him, period. God is the BIG DEAL with worship! Let's give Him what He deserves!