We commonly hear the word “worship” as part of our church involvement. I sometimes wonder if we understand what that word really means. Since there are 188 references to worship in the Bible there are clues about what worship is, why we worship, when and how people worshipped in Bible narratives, what happens if we worship anyone or anything other than God, how Jesus handled the temptation to worship someone other than God and how our hearts are to worship in honoring God.

Webster says that worship means “to honor or show reverence for, as a divine being, or supernatural power, or to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor or devotion.”

A Biblical example of why someone might worship can be seen in the life of Abraham. As he aged, he wanted to be sure that his son Isaac had a godly wife. Therefore, he asked a servant to go to a specific area to find this wife. As the servant went, he prayed for God’s help. God was faithful and the servant found the woman God had chosen. In response the servant “bowed his head and thankfully worshiped the Lord,” (Genesis 24:26 ESV).

While Moses led the Israelites through the dessert to the land they were to inherit, God showed the way through a pillar of clouds by day. That too, led to worship. “And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship each at his tent door,” (Exodus 33:10 ESV).

God gave specific instructions to His people that they were not to worship other gods. “And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish,” (Deuteronomy 8:19 ESV). Of course, the first commandment says we are to “have no other gods before Him,” (Exodus 20:3 ESV). Satan, while tempting Jesus, tried to get Jesus to worship him by saying, “All these [earthly things] I will give you if you will fall down and worship me,” (Matthew 4:9 ESV). Of course, Jesus had an answer for Satan. “…Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve,'” (Matthew 4:10 ESV).

Jesus told the Pharisees on Palm Sunday that the worship and praises of the people were essential as his followers called out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He (Jesus) answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out,” (Luke 19:38-40 ESV).

Finally, we are told an important aspect of how we are to worship. “God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth,” (John 4:24 ESV). Basically, this means that our worship is not to be just empty words but true worship only comes out of hearts that are genuinely thankful for who God is and all He does for us.

Obviously, I can’t include all 188 references to worship in this short devotional. However, prayerfully, it is enough to pique your interest to learn more about worship and what it means for our Bible reading, prayer and participation in church services as well as in our daily lives. “So, we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please him. We should do this with respect and fear,” (Hebrews 12:28 ERV).