As Christians, today we should not only seek the Bible to guide our worship, but also seek to fill our worship with the Word of God. This is because the Word not only instructs us but is also the means through which we draw near to God. We know, serve, and worship God through his Word. The Word is: “a LAMP to my feet and a LIGHT for my path” (Psa. 119:105) in OUR worship.
How is the Word to be present and fill our worship? As the Bible shows, the Word is present in several forms.
1. Reading God’s Word…
The most obvious is the reading of the Word. This Word should be a distinct and central part of our worship. Paul wrote to Timothy, “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Tim. 4:13). Here the reading of the Bible is shown as the most important part of our preaching and teaching. In times past, significant sections of several parts of the Bible were read in worship services. In Puritan times several chapters were usually read in each service.
2. Praying God’s Word…
“As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in him.” (Psalms 18:30). The Word should also fill our prayers. The greatest prayers we can pray are rich in the language of the Bible itself, offering God’s Word back to him in prayer. The words of the Bible should enforce our prayers with THE TRUTH OF GOD, THE PROMISES OF GOD, AND THE BLESSINGS OF GOD on his people.
3. Singing God’s Word…
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music…” (Psalms 98:4).
The Word should be the basis of our singing. Singing the Psalms is a wonderful way of hiding the Word of God in our hearts and is a certain way of pleasing the Lord who inspired them and gave them to his us for our good.
The WORD of the LORD is perfect…“More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; IN KEEPING THEM THERE IS GREAT REWARD.” (Psalms 19:10-11)
-Bill Stockham