Monday, August 4, 2008
Worthy
Maybe I cannot find too much on what it means to "praise God" because we cannot grasp the full reality of the word. In Psalm 18:3 David declared, 'I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised." The introductory words say that David wrote of his salvation "on the day when the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies." David is praising God for what he has done. He calls upon God, not to fulfill his own need,to make him feel the loving presence of God, but simply to proclaim His amazing work. God has been David's rock and fortress. God has delivered David, given him refuge and salvation. I wonder if we truly grasp the amazing gravity of what God has done for us in Jesus. We talk about being "saved". We talk about the power of the cross, the blood, the sacrifice - but do we get the deliverance part? The worthiness of God, or why we praise Him is a direct result of His amazing action on our behalf. Salvation, deliverance is our current reality and enduring action. For us, as for David, God stepped in. He took the cords from around our neck, the cords of death and hell, and wrapped them around His own. When we praise God it's not because we feel His presence so much that we must lift our hands close our eyes and hope that He sees our devotion. No, praise is so much more. Praise is the trusting heart that is comforted by the continually forgiving action of the cross. In the promise and the fulfillment of God through the cross of Christ, He is WORTHY of all praise!
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3 comments:
Knowing that the Bibical Text is a Jewish document written by Jews under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but with their culture and studying through the ages as an influence(both Oral as well as Written Law). It would be interesting to see what Praise and Worship was looked at in the culture of the time of Jesus.We know that STUDY was and is the one aspect of the Hebraic Mindset that sets the Jewish people as well as Christians apart from many of the people of the world.We don't worship and praise our GOD with just feelings or emotions (though they are a part of who we are).Our God is a living and vibriant GOD that is known through his word and when we know him we we WANT to praise and worship him. Ps 119:7.
This will lead to Tsehdek - Acts of righteousness.This whole idea of praising,worship,acts of righteousness,study are all Jewish concepts that help us learn to know the ONE GOD.We owe our Jewish brethern alot for teaching us through the word how to know and love the ONE true God.Just want to make sure our love for GOD is not based on our works, but our love for God is shown through our works.The Jews that wrote the text NEVER saw works as a means to God. Even today most Jews will tell you Tsehdek will never get you closer to God it will only show your acknowledgment and love of God and his Torah.
Just a note - My Hebrew needs some work - The word I wanted to use was - Tzedakah ( Charity - or works of righteousness).
I guarantee that praise and worship in Jesus day looked much different than we would ever imagine - but, then again, maybe not! While Scripture says there is nothing new under the sun, we have to think that there were elements of praise and worship that were holy and pleasing to God right alongside of those that were an abomination in His eyes, just like today. I have issue with "praising,worship,acts of righteousness,study are all Jewish concepts that help us learn to know the ONE GOD." As if we could fully know God outside of His revelation in the action of Jesus' cross. In addition, works righteousness was the definitive problem in first century Judaism. There would be no reason for Jesus, Paul, Peter or James to reference the efficacy of works had it not been a pervasive issue! Like you, I believe that the purpose of works is misunderstood - as much by the Jews as it is today by modern Christians. however, the love of God, and any expression thereof, cannot be a prerequisite to receiving mercy by His grace - then grace is no longer "undeserved" and certainly no longer free.
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