GOD DESERVES OUR WORSHIP!

DO WE LIVE LIVES THAT ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCLAIM GOD’S MAJESTY?

PSALM 24

1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

2 for he has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false

and does not swear deceitfully.

5 He will receive blessing from the Lord

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory! Selah

It is not clear to scholars when and why this psalm was penned, but some believe that it was written when the ark was brought back to Jerusalem by David, in 2 Samuel 2. There is no doubt that it is a psalm of worship to the Eternal, Self-sustaining God who rules over all.

David begins by reminding us of His rule over nature and men. This rule finds its roots in the fact that God is the Creator of both.

We are part of God’s creation, so it is fit and right for us to worship our Creator. The Bible says that God demands it, and that men are guilty of rebellion because they have suppressed the reality of God.

Romans 1:19-21
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

If it is inexcusable for the unsaved to suppress the reality of our Creator God, how much worse are we, when we live unaware, ungrateful, unmoved, and unchanged by the splendor of our Creator and God?

We too often become so self-absorbed that we lose sight of the privilege that is ours, to have a relationship with the Creator of the universe. Many display photographs in their homes, of themselves with mere worldly “celebrities”, yet fail to live lives that exude the reality of the majesty of their Creator.

Not only is the LORD the Creator of the universe, but He sovereignly, majestically rules over all of His creatures. We are not living as prisoners of a world that is running its own course, but we live in a fallen world, sustained and held in perfect control by the Ruler of all.

Because you and I do not understand the purposes of God and cannot see the glorious outcome of all, we cannot think we have the right to question or complain of God’s meticulous control.

Godly worship produces willing submission. Realizing the majesty of His Creator and ruler of all, David recognizes that his worship must produce appropriate behavior.

Only those who are purified and obedient can have a relationship with this perfect and mighty God. David reminds us that this God was the God of his salvation.

We cannot approach God apart from having been transformed by Him. When God changes us, He covers us with His righteousness. Our lives are changed from worldlings who live deceitfully, to children who seek after God and desire to please Him. In fact, we take part in our cleansing by submitting to the Word of God.

1 Peter 2:1-3

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

It is the Word of God that reveals who we are and what needs to be changed. Those who seek after God and desire to worship Him, love the Word, diligently reading it and applying it to their lives.

It is a good time to stop and reflect on how we are doing as worshipers of the LORD! Do we live lives that acknowledge and acclaim God’s majesty and sovereign control? Do we live pursuing godliness and purity? God promises that those who worship in this way will be blessed. Stop to think about this. When you are blessed, you know it; what you know then changes the way you are and the way you perceive things, and this, in turn, becomes visible worship and a testimony to our surrounding world!