Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Worship: Celebration of the faith of the people of God 
Psalms 148
v1 “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens”
The Christian faith centers around the love of God the Father towards us, which made Him give his only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. It’s all about believing in what Jesus did for us on the Cross of Calvary, that we may not perish, but have eternal life. We have been sealed as righteous and justified through our faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) and there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
A proper response to such a great love bestowed upon us would be to express our honor to God through extravagant respect, reverence and devotions i.e. to Worship Him. Different ways of worship as mentioned in the Bible are:
  • Bowing down and kneeling before God (Psalms 95:6)
  • Offering prayers by lifting holy hands (1 Timothy 2:8)
  • Coming before Him with happy songs (Psalms 100:2)
  • Sharing our testimony and making His deeds known (I Chronicles 16:8)
  • Shouting for joy unto the Lord and making music to the Lord with instruments (Psalms 98:4,5)
  • Offering sacrifices of praise (Hebrews 13:15)
  • Offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
In Psalms 148, the Psalmist goes into a whole new level by calling upon everything and everyone in Heaven and on Earth to praise the Lord. He calls upon angels & heavenly hosts, sun, moon & shinning stars, highest heavens & waters above the skies, sea creatures & oceans, lightning & hail, snow & clouds, mountains & hills, fruit trees & cedars, animals & birds, kings & princes, men, women & children to join in a jubilant worship of God.
 He also explains why they should worship God. The Heavens should praise the Lord because He created them by His command and established them forever (vs 5-6) and the earth should praise the Lord because His name is greater than all others and His glory is above the earth and heaven. He made his nation strong so that all his people praise Him.
Let us all take a moment to reflect on how we worship God and take a decision to celebrate our faith in Him through our worship.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit of God, teach us how to worship God in truth and in the Spirit.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Turn your worry into worship and watch God turn your battles into blessings.
Anila Mariam Thomas, South Florida
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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