How Do We Measure Worship? 6 Truths About True Worship from Revelation - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - November 12

“I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, ‘Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers’”--Revelation 11:1

How do we measure worship? Do we count the number of musicians, singers, and church attendees participating in it?

My family can attest to seeing me joyfully dancing throughout the house, hearing me sing worship songs at the top of my lungs. It’s a familiar sighting and comes as no surprise to them.

Yet, at other times, they might find me quietly listening to hymns.

Still, worship and how we measure and express it seem to be a touchy and controversial topic among believers and within many churches and denominations, as they decide what is acceptable and what isn’t. 

Sadly, it appears that many of our guidelines and conclusions regarding worship stem from our own understanding and cultural comfort, rather than the Word of God.

What Does Worship Look Like?

Most likely, our viewpoints on what worship looks like vary, depending on how we grew up, our church’s or denomination’s approach to it, our experiences, and more variables.

Psalm 149:3 urges, “Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp.” 

Although David’s dancing received mixed reviews from those closest to him, we hear no rebuke from God. As 2 Samuel 6:14 describes, “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.”

As well, Psalm 47:1 encourages, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”

Still, some church denominations prohibit the use of musical instruments in their worship. Others frown at dancing, raising arms, clapping hands, and shouting praises, yet the Bible seems to approve of it all.

Worship Is Not About Us

Our personal likes or dislikes shouldn’t be the deciding factors, but the Bible is where we need to look to see what pleases God and what He considers acceptable forms of worship. 

As we look, we discover that worship goes much deeper than the style of music or outward expression; true worship begins within us, stirred by the Holy Spirit and the truth.

Jesus describes where true worship is birthed in John 4:23-24: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Still, too many of us get hung up on what occurs outwardly, forgetting what matters inwardly most to God.

What Heaven Reveals About Worship

Upon examination, we find that the book of Revelation provides a glimpse into heaven and the worship that takes place there. What better place to discover truths about worship? The following are six truths about worship in Heaven.

1. Worship creates new songs. Revelation 5:9-10, “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’”

2. Worship unifies believers. Through the Apostle John’s eyes, he describes in Revelation 5:11, “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.”

3. Worship raises voices. As Revelation 5:12 describes, “They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice, they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’”

4. Worship involves every creature. Revelation 5:13-14 “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!’ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell and worshiped.”

5. Worship motivates falling on our faces. “All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: ‘Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen! Revelation 7:11-12

6. Worship includes praises. In Revelation 19:4, it describes how, “The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: ‘Amen, Hallelujah!’”

Let’s pray: Dear Father, Lead us today and every day to worship You in Spirit and in truth. Let our worship unify us as believers, singing new songs, loudly praising You, and joining every creature in heaven and on earth to lift Your name, and falling on our faces in worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Reflect on today’s devotional and share how God is speaking to you through His Word. Join the discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

 Photo Credit: ©Life Surge

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

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