Worship! What is it? Why is is important, or is it? Can we live without it? When do we worship? Worship is an act we do either with intent, out of fear or as a devotion, and we all do it to some thing or some one. It is something that we were all created to do, worship is within our human instinct. Vine’s Expository dictionary defines it as “to make obeisance, do reverence to” (from pros, “towards,” and kuneo, “to kiss”), is the most frequent word rendered “to worship.” It is used of an act of homage or reverence. Miriam Webster’s 3rd definition says : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem. Worship is a responsibility as well as a duty of all man kind and that to God alone. Throughout the bible God specifically tells us that worship needs to be a part of our every day life. Jesus said that God is looking for people who worship him in Spirit and in Truth (Jn4:24). There are elements that come together when we worship; such as, singing(Ep5:19), giving, praying, reading scripture and having communion. Because of worship wars have taken place, marriages broken, and people have died.
Daniel 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Worshiping God, the God of the bible comes with a price. Each and every one of us must be willing to pay whatever the cost to not be forced to cease from worshiping the Lord. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to suffer ridicule, rejection, hate acts even death for the mere act of worshiping God. Out of 20 Christian women who were martyred for their faith two stand out Felicita and Cecilia. These two women suffered the most grueling event anyone could suffer for the act worshiping God. Like the three young men these two ladies had the option to recant their faith, but they did not (Lk9:26-27). The act of worship entails of one giving of one self without the thought of recant Paul tells that church that the true act of worship is just that giving of one self (Ro12:1). Worship requires complete attention. It is not something that we can multi-task on, because it is an intentional act, therefore, requiring that we focus. Luke tells us in the book of Hebrews that we need to be at awe when we worship (He12:28).