Adore Him

STORY: All That Jazzy

My Boston Terrier, Jazzy, worships me. Maybe worship is too strong of a word, but I don’t think so. She follows me from room to room to stay by my side. She rests at my feet or begs to lie in my lap. When I take a nap, she jumps up in bed and presses the small of her back against the small of my back. She covers me with her kisses and looks up at me with an expression of adoration on her face. She trusts me to provide for all her needs and many of her wishes. When I come in the door, she greets me with high-energy enthusiasm and glee. Jazzy is content merely to be with me.

I have to admit, it feels good to have a creature love me with this kind of love. Adoration, worship, trust—all qualities hard to come by. Unconditional love, no strings attached, is unheard of in today’s “dog eat dog” world. Some might wonder why I choose to be tied down with the responsibilities of a pet, but nurturing Jazzy and taking care of her is my privilege considering all the benefits I receive in return.

I can’t help but wonder if I adore the Lord in the same way Jazzy adores me. May all I do be an act and attitude of worship. Worship is never too strong a word to describe my love for the One who made me, saved me and now abides in me.

STUDY: What is Worship?

Each of these verses includes the fact that God loves His people and they respond in worship. Love and worship go hand in hand!

Fall Down and Worship
“When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, ‘He is good! His faithful love endures forever!’” (2 Chronicles 7:3 NLT)

• What made the people want to worship?

• How is praising the Lord a part of worship?

• What did the people say as they praised God? This phrase is good for us to say. Practice it now—say it aloud.

Awestruck Worship
“Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.” (Psalm 5:7 NLT)

• Why can the psalmist enter the house of God? 

• What emotion/attitude goes along with worship here?

• Why do you think it is special to worship in God’s house?

Meditative Worship
“O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple.” (Psalm 48:9 NLT)

• What are the people meditating here? Do you think they realize God’s love is different than “regular” love? How is it different?

• Where are they worshipping? 

• What do you think it means to meditate? It is said that part of meditation is rumination. Not to be crude, but the word rumination was inspired by how cows chew their cud. They swallow food. It goes into a chamber of the stomach called the rumen. It comes back up for them to chew on more and then when they swallow the bolus, it goes into a different chamber of the stomach. When we meditate on something, we ponder it, chew on it, let it go into our hearts, then we bring it back to mind and think on it some more. It’s a mental focus of our day.

Praise and Worship
“I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.” (Psalm 138:2 NLT)

• What body position is used to express worship here? What attitude does that position reflect? Why is bowing often a part of worship? We can bow our bodies, or we can bow your hearts and minds.

• What are the three reasons the psalmist praises God’s name?

• What backs God’s promises? Why do you think God’s name has honor? How does it have honor in your own life?

STEPS: Take Love to the Worship Level

When God created mankind, He designed us not only for worship, but also for fellowship. He wants to spend time with us! Yet it seems the very relational acts He wants from us are the ones we never find time to do. If I took an inventory of my relationship with God based on how Jazzy treats me, I must admit I come woefully short in the area of expressing my love through worship. Here’s a check-up list for you to answer, evaluate what gets in the way of your worship, and based on your answers, develop your action plan for worship.

1. Am I content to be with God, 24/7?

2. Do I follow Him wherever He goes, rather than expecting Him to follow me?

3. Do I rest at His feet?

4. Do I adore and worship Him?

5. Do I trust Him to meet my needs and even some of my wants?

Finally, to put your good intentions into action, fill in the blank: This week I will worship God by _________________.

Copyright © 2016 Kathy Carlton Willis. Used by permission.