Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Why do we praise and worship God/Jesus?

  • Is God/Jesus selfish or insecure that He desires our praises so much?
  • Why is praising God/Jesus a critical part of our spiritual life?
  • Should we praise God/Jesus to flatter and manipulate Him into giving us health and wealth?
  • Should we continue to praise him so he will not stop or turn off the blessings tap?

Answer: It is the rightful order of the universe.

In Physics we see that the universal constants are finely tuned.
if the force of gravity were sightly off, there would be no solar system with the planets revolving around the sun.

Due to their auxin hormones, plants grow upwards towards the sun. The light from the sun enables photosynthesis which results in food and sustenance for animal life on earth.

Think of what would happen if the rightful order were not maintained. Life on earth would be snuffed out.

Surprisingly, praising God is not just for the rightful order of the spiritual universe but also for the physical universe.

Why is it the rightful thing to do? God has created us. He sent His son Jesus to die for us. If we repent and our sins are forgiven, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit who will guide us and empower us. We have a hope. Jehovah is a good God.

If you create something or perform some good work, then it is only right that you and not someone else, get the credit for it.

Well, you may ask - what about the evil that happens in this world?
Answer: God gave man free will to do good or evil. Also, the devil roams on this earth seeking whom he will devour; to kill, steal and destroy.

The Bible says,

Psalm 148

1 Praise the LORD. [a]
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and maidens,
old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn, [b]
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD



In the same vein,

Psalm 19
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world...
Unlike the creatures above, Man has free will. As Bob Dylan sang in Gotta Serve Somebody,
"[everybody has] gotta serve somebody... It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody."

If we don't worship God, then we shall worship the devil. If we don't praise God, then we will turn inwards and praise ourselves or each other. In other words, we will have other gods.
The rightful order of the Universe will be lost.
Both the spiritual and physical worlds will go awry. This is exactly what happened when Satan fell and sin was introduced into heaven when he praised and worshiped himself.

see also Psalm 145


Blog Archive