I recently read an interview with Christian singer and songwriter Michael W. Smith, regarding the modern condition of worship. It was not an indictment, but rather a warning. And before I get into the content of his comments, allow me to say that for the first time in quite a while, I am encouraged by the many instances where churches have shown a desire for making sure we embrace God-honoring praise and worship in our gatherings and moving away from a time of entertainment clothed in Christian songs.
Brother Smith was offering words of caution and warning that we must ensure it does not become “celebrity-driven.” This is so easy, because worship leaders and worship singers are very often extremely talented and gifted by the Lord and we can become enamored with the gifts, instead of sharing what the Holy Spirit ministered to us during our time together, we create a celebrity status for the one leading. This is often not the leaders fault, but in some instances we need to take an inventory of our approach to worship. And to clarify, I am primarily speaking of that time when we come together as a body (church gatherings; small group; youth group; conferences, etc.)
Ultimately, Smith contended that the goal of leading worship is to change the atmosphere and allow people to engage with God. He went on to say the role of a worship leader isn’t to become a celebrity, but rather to sort of disappear into the atmosphere with the congregants offering up praise and worship to Almighty God.
This reminds me of the time when Matt Redman’s pastor felt their time of worship had become stale and entertaining and he asked Matt to sit the worship team down, and if I remember right, for a time, the worship team consisted of Matt and his guitar. Somebody can check me on that. Nevertheless, out of that experience was born they began to sing (written by Tim Hughes), the worship song, “Heart of Worship.” I will include that song at the end of this letter, but here is a sample.
“When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come.”
The Psalmist helps us with this when he cries out and sings,
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!”
Psalm 95:5
If we could prepare our “hearts of worship” before we even gather with other brothers and sisters for a time of praise and worship, we would find the top button in the top hole of the shirt would be that we would come to worship and bow down. If not physically, we assume a posture of kneeling before the Lord. In that environment, the Spirit of God is free to move among us and in us, minus the usual resistance. Now, I don’t believe (and I don’t think Michael W. Smith believes) that people today get in their car and travel to an announced location so they can be entertained by a great worship band and singers. But, if we are not careful, that is exactly the posture we might slip into.
David (most likely) continues in the 95th psalm by elucidating just exactly why we approach God’s throne bowing down in worship before Him.
“For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.”
When we gather, in whatever configuration, to worship and bow down corporately and jointly, that moment of meeting God in the Spirit will be richer if we remember that He is our God. Just a simple, yet often overlooked notion that God alone is our God and to Him alone do we offer devotion. To further emphasize this truth, David states that we are the people of His pasture. Now think about that. You and I live and graze in the pasture of the Good Shepherd, our Lord, and our God! In His pasture there is provision, protection, safety, and abundant life. Sometimes, one of God’s kids demonstrates his or her hard headedness and bolts for another pasture, only to find the one we came from was much better than this (remember The Prodigal Son – Luke 15)
How shall we approach a time of corporate praise and worship. While there isn’t anything wrong (and everything right) with fellowshipping with the church family prior to joining together in worship, let our overriding focus be upon His whose we are and in whose pasture we graze. David again tells us in Psalm 100 that the way into the very presence of God is paved with gratitude.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!”
When we get into our car (if not before) to join the saints in joint worship, we should have already begun to think of all the things we have to be grateful for in our life in His pasture. Gratitude will propel you a long way through and over any issues you might be having at the present time. That is because gratitude takes your focus off the problems at hand and calls you to
“Turn your eyes on Jesus,
look full into His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
(some of you will recognize those words.)
This is a lot different attitude than “I sure hope they sing songs that I like!” The praise and worship ceases being about us and our entire focal point.
Isaiah also gives us a glimpse of how to approach the throne of God in worship. In chapter 6 of the book that bears his name, it is recorded that Isaiah went to the temple. Now, some have speculated that what might have brought him to the temple that day was the death of King Uzziah, because that is the very first thing mentioned. He tells us that in that time, he saw the Lord. We all know the Lord had been there all along, but it appears this is the only time (or first time) that Isaiah sees Him in all His Regal Royalty and Majesty. He observed the seraphim, whose sole existence it was to exalt and worship the Lord every second of every day (if a seraphim observes days.)
As he was observing the seraphim calling to one another “Holy, holy, holy! The whole earth is filled with His glory,” the foundations of the temple began to shake and the whole place was filled with smoke (I doubt they had any smoke machines.) 😉 It is that kind of thing that will get your attention and solicit some kind of response. Isaiah began to see himself in the light of who the Lord God is and he suddenly felt thoroughly inadequate.
Isaiah’s response was in the same manner as ours – he recognized his limitations and where he had fallen short. But notice that although he was a self-proclaimed man of unclean lips, we see no indication of him running away from God and His presence. He recognized that he dwelt among people who were also a people of unclean lips. Even still, when one of the seraphim grabbed a burning coal from the fire and made his way to Isaiah, he welcomed the purifying hand of God in the form of a seraphim received the statement from his lips had now been made clean, He was guilty no more!
God then began to proclaim, “whom shall I send to the people (remember those people of unclean lips?) and who will go for us?” I can just see Isaiah pushing his way to the front of the crowd (if there was a crowd) raising his hand as high as he could and jumping high like “Donkey” in the movie Shrek. Donkey jumped up and shouted, “Pick me! Pick me!” Isaiah went even further; “Here am I! Send me!” His response to being in the presence of a holy God in worship was one of worship. Oh my, if we could get past the smoke machines and flashing lights and enter into His presence like this fellow, we would touch the hem of His garment like the woman who had the issue with her blood.
Please allow me to make a few suggestions. First of all, arrive at the prescribed meeting place having already prepared your own heart to enter into worship of God Almighty. Don’t place the responsibility of the worship to “work you up” into a frenzy of worship.
To accomplish this, might I suggest starting preparations earlier than would seem normal. That way, when little Junior can’t find but one of his shoes, you are not on the way to the car searching in a panic. Also, if you prepare ahead of time and start earlier, you won’t have to be concerned about being late. When I was growing up, my dad worked a paper mill that was about a 10- or 15-minute drive from our house. When I asked him why he left so early, he replied, “I want to make sure I am not late for work.” What a novel way of thinking.
Another thing that will help is if you head off any conflicts that might arise by simply letting the young ones in your house know that we are not going to entertain any complaints or fights until much later than when we are about to leave church.
Again, when I was growing up, I would watch my mother each Sunday morning sit down at the kitchen table and write out her tithe check to the church. Although my father was not a Christian for most of my growing up years, to my knowledge, he never objected to Mama doing this. That way you won’t have to chase down the usher so you can get your tithes and offerings in the container.
Finally, I am not one of those “Christians” who believe you should only listen to “Christian” music. But I would say, while you are traveling to worship your God, having some worship music playing on the way will help set your direction as you join with other brothers and sisters in that place where you can say to one another, “Come let us worship and bow down!”
And now the song I promised you.
Here I Am To Worship
Written by: Tim Hughes, Darlene Zschech
Album: Ultimate Worship Vol 1
Released: 2005
Light of the world, You stepped down into
darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days, oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake, became poor
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross