What Must Be The Worshipper's Attitude?

What must be the worshipper’s attitude? Great responsibility has always rested upon the worshiper, in the Old Testament as well as in the New. Not only must one have the right object, but he must have certain attitudes.

First, the True Worshiper Feels the Desire To Worship. “Both young men, and virgins; Old men, and children: Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For his name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and the heavens” (Psalm 148:12-13). “These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I went with the throng, and led them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude keeping holyday” (Psalm 42:4). David exclaimed, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah” (Psalm 122:1). Man needs to realize his need for His maker and thirst for Him. “As the heart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God” (Psalm 42:1-2)? Job cried, “Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat” (Job 23:3)!

Second, the True Worshiper Feels Profound Gratitude for the Wonderful Grace of God. He seeks every opportunity to acknowledge his dependence upon God and his awareness that without God’s blessings, he could not live. “O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples. For his lovingkindness is great toward us” (Psalm 117:1-2). “What shall I render unto Jehovah for all his benefits toward me” (116:12)? “I will pay my vows before them that fear him” (22:25). “Praise ye Jehovah. O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever” (106:1).

Third, the True Worshiper Feels Reverence in and Worships God from the Heart. It is genuine: the emotions are involved. "These things I remember [what God has done for me and that my soul pants after God, CAC], and pour out my soul within me” (Psalm 42:4). “Glory ye in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah” (1 Chronicles 16:10). “Him shall ye fear [reverence, CACj, and unto him shall ye bow yourselves, and to him shall ye sacrifice” (2 Kings 17:36). “I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praises unto thee” (Psalm 138:1). The worshiper is not passive in his worship, awaiting some entertainment or mystical uplift to result from the “performance” of the song leader, the preacher, and others. We actively lift up praise and adoration to God within His prescribed way out of a heart filled with reverence, gratitude, confession, praise, and supplication.

Fourth, the True Worshiper Realizes that God Is Close at Hand. Unlike many who think that God is so remote that He cannot see, know, or be concerned with our needs, thoughts, prayers, and joys, men need to realize that “. . . they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him [through His Word, of course, CAC], though he is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). With the Israelites, God’s glory filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:33-38), from whence He spoke to the people (Leviticus 1:1). Here we see the marvel of His condescension; He would later dwell among the people when the Word would tabernacle in the flesh (John 1:1-3, 14) and when He would dwell in His holy temple, the church (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). He is with His people in the worship (Matthew 26:28-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:23ff). The righteous people of the Old Testament walked with God, building a close relationship with Him (not the type of “buddy-buddy,” “daddy” relationship as some shallow, flippant souls would aver today). Study the faith and reverence demonstrated in the worship of Abraham, Moses, David, and others. Enoch walked with God: David was a man after God’s own heart; Daniel was greatly beloved.

—Curtis A. Cates