[This is part of the Experiencing Remarkable Worship devotional series]
One of the definitions of worship is akin to a dog licking his owner’s hand. How’s that for a word picture? (Don’t worry; you don’t have to lick God’s hand like a dog.) But the Bible talks about expression and demonstration in worship! We are going to explore that in this post.
Everyone is in a different place in their journey of worship so their exhibition and volume is going to be different; it’s best not to judge.
King David is an icon of worshipper in the Bible, but even he had to tell his soul to bless the Lord (Psalm 103:1). I’m sure there were days he didn’t feel like it. With killing a lion, a bear, Goliath, and exhaustion in running for his life, he was up against a lot. (And I think I have problems!)
In the Bible, numerous examples can be found to show what is used to worship God. What are they? To start with, I found five. Most of these let us know that God likes noise! The rest of them let us know that God encourages demonstration in worship! Check these out:
5 Biblical Ways to Bring Worship
1. Instruments
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! Psalm 98:5-6 ESV
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Psalm 150:3-5 ESV
2. Voice
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4 ESV
And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Mark 11:9 ESV
Luke 1:46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord…”
3. Hands
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. Psalm 134:2 KJV
O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 47:1 KJV
4. Legs
And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 2 Chronicles 20:19 ESV
The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 2 Chronicles 29:26 ESV
5. Body (Dancing and Bowing)
Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. Exodus 15:20 ESV
And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 2 Samuel 6:16 ESV
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6 KJV
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 2 Chronicles 20:18 ESV
I want to encourage you to explore these possibilities in your demonstration in worship to God. If the thought of participating in one of them makes you uneasy, then think about this:
When you were first learning how to swim it might have been with some trepidation even though it was fairly easy to learn. I want to encourage you to dive into what is new for you. Nothing else on earth gives the same weightlessness as being in the water. Similarly, you will find the same with engaging in these ways of worship.
Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard. Psalm 66:8 ESV #worship #thrive Click To Tweet
So what do I do now?
- Read. Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard. Psalm 66:8 ESV
- Reflect. The first half of the above verse says to bless God. What does your demonstration in worship look like? The second half of the verse says to praise with a volume level that can be heard. Does God want you to amplify yours?
- Pray. God, there is nothing like your tangible presence. Help me to step into the “water of worship.” Teach me to swim. Help me not to get caught up in what others think when I worship You, because it is all for Your glory.
- Worship. God is pleased by your demonstration in worship if it is done with the right heart. Sometimes we need some practice so our praises don’t get stolen. (If you need some encouragement on this, read this post.)
What is your favorite way to give worship to God?
Don’t miss the other great posts in the Experiencing Remarkable Worship Series:
- Experiencing Remarkable Worship
- Who Do We Worship?
- 4 Reasons I Will Worship God
- When You Worship
- Worship: God Likes Noise and Demonstration
- Worship Where You Are
- 5 Steps to Thriving in Worship
- When God Feels Far Away While Worshipping
Michele Morin says
September 27, 2016 at 8:06 amKelly, I’m trotting along behind you EVERYWHERE this morning! And I love this piece, because last Friday I attended the CryOut16 simulcast and was so encouraged by the worship that was going on around me, AND the worship that was going on out in Indiana that we were able to see and join here in Maine. I was reminded that whenever I worship God, I”m just joining in with a thing that’s already going on all the time in the heavenlies!
KellyRBaker says
September 27, 2016 at 7:46 pmYes, we are joining in with the whole of heaven in worship! If only our eyes could be opened to see such a sight. Perhaps that’s why corporate worship has a different feel than individually; we are just getting a taste of what it is like around His throne.
Steven Sawyer says
September 27, 2016 at 9:51 amKelly, being in church choirs since the 4th grade, praising God in song is wonderful, soulful worship for me. I have favorite cry songs I love to sing and listen to. My tears are worship tears and joyful tears as I sing. It is my favorite way to worship our God. However, I want to bow in worship more often than I do. That’s real surrendering worship to me. Thanks for sharing and may God richly bless you and your ministry.
KellyRBaker says
September 27, 2016 at 7:50 pmThanks for sharing your favorite way to worship, and also what stretches you! I think we are all on a journey with our worship, and it can be compared to relationships with humans. It changes. Hopefully that we become more free in the case of worship to our God!
sherrylynnstahl says
September 27, 2016 at 11:48 amI love raising my hands in worship with my eyes closed. I get lost in the surrender.
KellyRBaker says
September 27, 2016 at 7:53 pmAhh, yes! These days, I can’t do that so much. I’m on stage leading worship and I have to keep a certain amount of tuning into the congregation. Then at home for family worship, I’m keeping an eye out for my littles. So I have times when I like to steal away to my room with the door closed and snatch a few moments in total abandon.
Tiffany Parry says
September 27, 2016 at 8:31 pmWhat a great encouragement to engage in our worship of God, Kelly. While I’ve been known to do a little dancing right in the middle of my kitchen, I truly, truly look forward to Sunday morning worship. Just that sweet time to join with the body, lit my hands high, and sing totally out of tune 😉 is such refreshment for my soul!!
KellyRBaker says
September 28, 2016 at 10:54 amAnd God loves it, too! 😉 Thanks for your comment, Tiffany!
Karen Del Tatto says
September 27, 2016 at 10:15 pmKelly, Great post! I love how you shared different ways showcased in the Bible on how to worship God. I admit that I am more shy when it comes to being “demonstrative” especially in church, but your word picture of a “dog licking his master’s hand” really brought into perspective the joy and excitement we are to feel when we are in the presence of our Master.
Thanks for sharing!
KellyRBaker says
September 28, 2016 at 11:03 amWhen I found that out about a “dog licking his master’s hand” I was completely dumbfounded. I laughed. But it stuck with me. I used to have a dog, and there were times when he would just keep. on. licking. Such dedication from the furry guy. It’s definitely food for thought. Is my heart free enough to lavish worship on the Lord without restraint? I have become more free in worship over the years, but I’m still on this “journey.” Thanks for visiting, friend. 🙂
Karen says
September 28, 2016 at 12:33 pmI don’t think there is any right or wrong way to worship… as long as it’s respectful and reverent. But as you pointed out, reverent doesn’t mean quiet and boring. The psalms are filled with examples of exuberant praise. And when our hearts are full of gratitude, that should be the natural overflow.l
KellyRBaker says
September 28, 2016 at 12:56 pmExactly. It’s an overflow of our heart loving Him! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Karen!
Ifeoma Samuel says
September 28, 2016 at 3:12 pmA good dance sometimes in the place of worship may be the key to answered prayers
Thank you for those scriptures too they make good examples
Blessings to you
KellyRBaker says
September 29, 2016 at 8:17 amAmen! Thanks for stopping by, Ifeoma, and blessings to you, too!
Kristina says
September 28, 2016 at 9:27 pmthanks for stopping by at my blog! I love to sing out loud to favorite Christian songs. I can tell the times when the music moves me vs when the Holy Spirit is working in my heart to humble me. I love all the scripture you gave too. Perfect examples
KellyRBaker says
September 29, 2016 at 8:18 amAh, yes, the working of the Holy Spirit when we worship. Worship prepares our hearts to receive from Him. Glad to connect with you, Kristina!
Lisa notes... says
September 29, 2016 at 1:34 pmLove this list of ways to worship! As I was growing up, my home church discouraged several of those ways. But thankfully the Lord has set me free from those shackles and now I know I’m free to worship him in many different ways!
KellyRBaker says
September 30, 2016 at 11:13 amPraise the Lord for freedom! Thanks for sharing that, Lisa!
Donna Reidland says
October 2, 2016 at 1:41 pmI love your imagery here, the dog licking its master’s hand for starters. I love to take a worship song and really think about the words as I sing it back to Him.
My church took part in CryOut, too, and like Michele, I loved the worship.
KellyRBaker says
October 4, 2016 at 7:43 amThinking about the words while we sing is a good practice. Thanks for sharing that, Donna. 🙂
Lori @ Frog's Lilypad says
October 3, 2016 at 12:53 pmI think many Christians (me included) would be surprised at the type of worship that went on in the Old Testament. These verses are a great reminder of how we need to worship the Lord. Thanks, Kelly, for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.
KellyRBaker says
October 4, 2016 at 7:45 amI think we would be surprised, too! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Lori. 🙂
Lori Simmons Schumaker says
October 9, 2016 at 6:53 pmPurely surrendering in worship is such a powerful experience!!! Love this! Thank you for sharing this hope at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
KellyRBaker says
October 12, 2016 at 8:41 amThank so much, Lori! Glad to! 🙂