The Westminster Confession begins by saying, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." What is this "glorifying" and "enjoying"? What is this business for which we gather on Sunday mornings? The answer, of course is Worship. But most of us never stop to think about what worship is. Worship is the appropriate response to two things- Who God is, and What God has done in history and in our own lives. Let’s consider these two aspects with the hope that we will glorify and enjoy God more and more for all of our days.

Ever wonder Who God is? Isaiah the Prophet didn’t. Isaiah was in the Temple one day and saw the Lord in all of His glory. (see Isaiah 6) The Seraphim around His throne worshipped Him with the simple refrain: "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God of Hosts." This statement of Who God is are the only words necessary in eternal worship. Seeing the Lord as He is, in His glory, majesty, and holiness, the train of His robe filling the Temple, Isaiah fell to the ground in Worship. Perhaps the reason that we do not tend to fall the ground in worship on Sunday mornings is that we are so out of touch with the awe of Who God is. Let us take some time this week and consider the wonder of the Person of God. Then we will able to truly sing:

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Early in the morning, our song shall rise to Thee."

The Bible begins with the account of God creating the universe. We are told that He then sat down as King over all His creation. This is the basis for Sabbath worship. One aspect of worship is the celebration of God our creator. We celebrate Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each of whom were intimately involved in the design and creation of the universe. (Gen. 1:1, Col. 1:16, Gen. 1:2) Psalm 19 and other passages speak of all creation worshipping and testifying to the Creator. One great way to prepare for worship is to spend time noticing the wonder of God’s creation. For some, this could mean a hike or a walk in the park or just perhaps noticing a flower, a stone, or the stars and moon at night. As you notice the detail or the vastness let your heart be reminded of the loving care of our Creator.

"I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies;

I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;

The apex of Christian worship is the celebration of the historical events in which the Eternal God Himself took on flesh and came and lived among us, in the Person of Jesus Christ. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and demonstrated His love to us in Person. This Love would ultimately be expressed in His death on a cross. In this death, He gave Himself on our behalf. When we, sinners, should have died, He bore our punishment. When we worship, we express our amazement at the vast love of God, Who loved us and purchased us with a price. In awe, we consider our loving Father, Who would bankrupt Heaven of its richest treasures to pay our debt of sin. As we survey the wondrous cross, we sing:

Worship finds its fullest expression in lives that are completely given to God in response to His love.