Articles
Caves and Cathedrals
(Note from Odie - Before you read this, please understand it is NOT a permission slip to skip collective worship to worship alone, to stay home and worship through a screen, etc. I neither know how Brother Jones feels about these things nor if that is what he means in his penultimate paragraph, in fact, I doubt it, but I want to make sure there is no misunderstanding. Being together as a family is a vital part of NT worship. Without it, there is no communion, no fellowship, and no edification. With that in mind, read on.)
Worship is an inward craving displayed by outward activity. It is heavenly, angelic, and divine. It is the boldest of human activities and requires the humblest disposition. It draws man to the very heart and throne of God. Its blessings cannot be enumerated by human calculations. Its impact cannot be measured before the dawn of eternity. It requires soberness in a world of silliness; humility in a world of haughtiness; gratitude in a world of selfishness; and holiness in a world of filthiness.
Worship is so much more than a showcasing of talent. It is more than the expression of human ability. It is more than ritual, ceremony, or sacrament. It is more than a call to gather. It involves glorifying, magnifying, honoring, referencing, blessing, praising, exalting, thanking, and rejoicing in God while being awed by His love, grace, mercy, justice, and power!
We can get so caught up in the aesthetics of the worship setting that we forget how seriously we must take worship if we are going to do it right. We worry about meeting times, length of service, thermostats, dress (casual or formal), and seating arrangements. All the while, our hearts are not prepared as they ought to offer to God what we should.
When we find ourselves distracted but the things are unimportant, a text like Psalm 57 can refocus our thoughts. Here David cries out to God (Psalm 57:1-3) due to the persecution he is under (57:4-6). As the Psalm closes (57:7-11), he exalts the name of God with humble, devoted praise and worship. What is unique about this Psalm is that David probably wrote it while hiding in a cave. Yet, the worship expressions of his heart were as real and lofty as if he were sitting in a cathedral. Why? Because it is not always about location and comfort, but about offering to God what He is due with sincerity and devotion.
As Sunday approaches, let us think more about our preparation for worship and our focus in worship than about the physical circumstances in which our worship is offered.
