Much has been said about improper worship and those who worshiped God incorrectly in Scripture. Individuals like Nadab and Abihu, along with Aaron and the golden calf serve as demonstrations of what not to do as we approach Almighty God in worship (Exod. 32; Lev. 10:1-2). However, the Bible also supplies us with examples of individuals who got worship right. These are people who approached God in the right way, gave Him the right things, and are held up as an example for us to emulate. Let’s notice a few people from both the Old and New Testament who got worship right and then let us go and do likewise.
David- David is probably the most popular worshipper in the Bible. He is even called the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam. 23:1). He wrote many of the psalms that were used in Old Testament temple worship. Yet, one of the greatest lessons David teaches us about worship may not be as well known to many Bible students. After David sinned against the Lord he wanted to offer up an offering as a sign of his penitence and godly sorrow. He needed to purchase a threshing floor so he could offer burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. When the owner of the threshing floor wanted to give it to David for free, David refused. He said, “No, I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24). In this passage David teaches us that true worship is costly and there is no price too high to pay to our God in appreciation and gratitude.
Paul and Silas- After Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown in prison for preaching the gospel in Philippi we are told that they were heard singing praises to God and praying (Acts 16:25). They got worship right and remind us that true worship is not dictated by circumstances, in fact true worship transcends earthly circumstances. If Paul and Silas could sing and pray with bloodied backs and shackled feet surely we can praise God in the comforts of our homes and church buildings today.
Abraham- Abraham waited twenty five years to have a son, but eventually he and Sarah were blessed with the birth of Isaac (Gen. 21:5). When God called Abraham to take Isaac and sacrifice him on mount Moriah Abraham did not hesitate (Gen. 22:1-2). Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead, but it was his responsibility to obey and do what God said (Gen. 22:9- 18; Heb. 11:17- 19). True worship is obedient to what God asks for even if we would like to do otherwise.
Four heavenly creatures and twenty-four elders- In Revelation, John gives several pictures of worship. The first picture is of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, and they are seen standing before the throne of God and praising Him continually (Rev. 4:8-11). They serve as an example that God is worthy of our continual worship. God is to be praised regularly and He is worthy to receive it by virtue of the fact that He created and sustains us.
Everyone worships someone or something, but Christians are to worship God. It is not enough to worship; we must get worship right! Let’s be sure to give God the worship He is due and delight in doing so!
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