In the last post, we established God as the only foundation of worship. In this and the next post, we will be exploring communal and personal worship. Worship in the church is a key part of my testimony. Nothing compares to hearing a gathering of believers lifting up the name of God.

Worship as is in Heaven

“After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, [gathered] from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth], standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands; and in a loud voice they cried out, saying, ’Salvation [belongs] to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb’” Revelation 7:9-10b

I have been in a wide variety of worship settings, from a megachurch to a small town church and even a secret house church in a closed country. Each one was different in its own way, yet none were any less powerful in their worship. Seeing that variety has given me a small glimpse of Heaven. People of every tribe and tongue, gathering to worship God no matter their circumstances. We have the opportunity to join in that great choir every time we gather to worship. Do not waste that chance. Join with the church as a whole and in your local church. Come together with your family of faith and lift up the only worthy name of Jesus. Know that when you are singing in worship, you join those in the megachurch, the small town church, and those secretly meeting in a house church. The entire body of Christ comes together to worship God.

Worship Together

“And let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

There is something about worship that draws people together. When people gather to worship, it unifies unlike anything else. When you hear people singing to God, it can bring camaraderie. Everyone brings something different into worship. They bring everything they have experienced that week and the storms they are walking through, and yet they come to worship in spite of those reasons. Worship is a time to look around and see worshipers that are going through hard things and join, knowing you may be walking through similar trials. The church is meant to help one another and singing is an easy way to do so. Sometimes the truths we know may feel less certain. Maybe it’s doubting God’s power or goodness. I remember one Sunday when I was doubting His goodness. That Sunday, my church played song after song about His goodness. The songs definitely helped me, but what really got me to stop doubting, was seeing the people in my church worshiping with all they had. Sometimes your faith gets heavy and that is when you should run to the church where your church family can pick you up until you can run to God again.

Worship Through Trials

“And our hope for you [our confident expectation of good for you] is firmly grounded [assured and unshaken], since we know that just as you share as partners in our sufferings, so also you share as partners in our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:7

Sometimes worshiping can be hard. I can remember many times when it was hard to sing. Even if you know the victorious power of God, trials of life can weigh you down. When worship feels hardest is often when you need it most. When King David was in despair, he did not stop worshiping. It was often less refined and more of an honest cry to God. We must not stop worshiping God when it’s hard. We should lean on the church and worship, knowing that there is a family of faith ready to support. On the other side of that, when you see someone going through their trials, sing for them. Come around them and encourage their worship. When they struggle to worship, worship on their behalf. When it’s been hard to worship for me, I can remember seeing others in my church worshiping and it made it a little easier. I was still walking through the hard times, but worshiping rekindled the fire that had grown dim. As 2 Corinthians demonstrates, I had the family of faith come around me in worship through the trials and carried me through to the comfort. Maybe you aren’t one to worship in church, do not let your desire of comfort stop you from comforting others. Worship God and, in doing so, love the church and serve others.