The Bible Nerd

“I don’t feel like worshiping today.” I have to admit that I have either said that out loud or thought that way more times than I would like to admit. It is basically saying that my worship of God depends on how I feel, which usually means am I happy with my life. Are things going well with ministry? my family? my finances? If they are, then yeehaw, it is time to do same David like worship and dance in the streets. However, if an unexpected bill comes in, my car breaks down, or the internet is too slow today, and my hands go in my pockets during worship (or I at least fold them behind my back to sort of look respectful when I am refusing to sing along). This kind of attitude doesn’t really go with the Biblical definitions of worship.

In the New Testament, the word “worship” is most often used for the Greek word “proskuneo”. “Proskuneo” has a very similar meaning to the Hebrew “shachah”, in that it was used to describe the action of bowing down and kissing the feet of a king, ruler, superior, etc… It can literally be translated “to kiss” or “kiss the hand to” and was the Oriental practice of touching one’s head to the ground as a sign of profound reverence. You can see this in the following verse:

Matthew 18:26 (NIV)
“The servant fell on his knees [proskuneo] before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’

In the same way as the Old Testament, when “proskuneo” is used to describe an action toward God, most often the word “worship” is used by translators.

John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship [proskuneo] in spirit and in truth.”

Since it took on meaning beyond the original action of bowing and doing obeisance, we have to ask what additional meanings did it take on? First of all, no where in the New Testament is proskuneo/worship used to describe the whole service of when a church gathers together. That leaves the question though what actions or attitudes accurately describe worship. Prayer? singing? communion? Before we can try to answer these, we must consider why this Greek word was chosen. Also, just as with the Hebrew “abad”, a few times the Greek word “latreo” (service) is translated as “worship”. So, deep reverence and respect is combined with obedient lifestyles to make up the term worship.

I don’t see anything about our feelings in any of these Biblical terms. Of course, we want to “want” to worship God. I love the times of worship when I feel true joy AND happiness in my praise of God. Yet, even in the worst times of my life, I still should have deep respect and honor for God, as well as an obedient lifestyle. Obedience tested by the fires of trials often yields the sweetest worship times. Great hymns that we treasure have often been borne out of times of personal tragedy (“It is Well with my Soul” for example). Our obedience also doesn’t hinge on how much we are enjoying our lives. Otherwise, Jeremiah the prophet should have had a free pass to sin based on his suffering.

The other thing that you can’t get around is that whatever word is translated as “worship”, it seems to involve some type of action. Yes, true worship comes from the right heart attitude, but it is still an action. Whether we decide it is still bowing down, singing, or praying out, worship must not be reduced to a concept or feeling. That would be like saying, “I am an evangelist at heart, and my life shows Jesus, so I don’t need to actually say anything.” Lame. The Bible always portrays evangelism as proclamation of the Gospel, the message of the cross. In the same way, you can honor and respect God in your heart, but that is not worship. At least not in the Bible.

It doesn’t really matter then whether or not I “feel” like worshiping or not. God is ALWAYS deserving of my homage and obeisance. Worship is based on who He is, and He is never changing. He is king yesterday, today, and forever, so I must bow before Him forever. Isn’t that the picture we see in Revelation 7 as all the saints bow before Him in eternal worship? I guess I have to take my hands out of my pockets, set aside whatever worries me, and focus on the sovereign creator of the universe. You didn’t get to tell the kings of this earth, “Hey, I don’t feel like bowing before you, so maybe tomorrow.” Attitudes like this were followed by statements like, “Off with his head!” God isn’t going to whack my head off (hopefully), but it is His grace and love that motivate me to worship Him at all times.