Gratitude Expressed in Worship

I recently heard worship described as the highest form of gratitude. This statement resonates with me as worship is a complete expression, engaging the heart, mind, soul, voice, hands, and if you’re a dancer like King David, even the feet! In essence, worship is giving every part of ourselves to an infinitely good God who is worthy of the greatest gratitude we have to offer.

To be clear however, worship is not, nor should it be, restricted to solely corporate gatherings on Sundays. Instead, worship is an ongoing commitment to honor Yahweh with everything we have and are. And so, it must be with gratitude. Just as our worship includes every part of our lives, so too our thanks to God must be grounded in everything we do, say and think.

The Password is “Thanks”

To be honest, I find the constant need of creating and remembering passwords exhausting. Perhaps you feel the same. If so, I have really good news for us. There is only one consistent password for approaching God. This word has only six letters. It’s incredibly easy to remember, and best of all, it never requires confirming or resetting. If you haven’t guessed by now the password is thanks, and it’s the only word ever needed, providing us immediate access into the presence of God.

In Psalm 100:4, we are reminded to enter God’s presence with the password: “Thank you!” And once again in Psalm 95:2, we are told to come before God with thanksgiving singing songs of praise.

Clearly revealed in these verses and many others like them, is the fact that gratitude and worship are inextricably woven together. Gratitude is the motivation for and language of worship. It is a language that speaks directly to the Father’s heart. And as we express our thanks to God through songs, words, and faith-filled confessions and prayers, He is honored, glorified, and we too are edified and blessed by His presence.

Gratitude is Not About Feelings

God created us with emotions. And this is a good thing as emotions connect us to feelings like joy, sorrow and peace. At the same time, emotions, if not surrendered to God, have the potential of clouding our view of reality.

Additionally, emotions vary regularly and rapidly in response to our ever-changing circumstances. Yet, because God never changes, our worship and gratitude for Him must be consistent, just as He is consistently the same. Further, our gratitude must never be based on our fluctuating feelings. Instead, our thanks and praise must remain fixed on the certainty of God’s goodness and worth, regardless of our emotional status on any given day.

“The central premise in worship is not what you feel like, but what God is worthy of.” (J. D. Greear)

Gratitude in Unlikely Places

In considering the places and spaces I naturally connect to gratitude, bound in shackles in a prison cell is not tops on my list. Yet, the historical account of two faith-filled men just might persuade me to think differently. Paul and Silas, friends and fellow gospel carriers were arrested, severely beaten and thrown into prison. Their crime: freeing a demonically possessed girl by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, nothing good ever happens after midnight. Well, sometimes it actually does. And this was certainly the case with Paul and Silas.

Paul, who later authored this story, was very specific in sharing that it was around midnight when he and Silas began to sing praises to Yahweh. Mind you, these were two physically hurting, most likely completely distraught men. Yet somehow, they decided that rather than cry, stew, complain, or sulk, they would instead lift their voices in grateful worship.

Perhaps you’re wondering, who does this? And the answer is, people like Paul and Silas do, and in fact did. And the results of their decision were more than outstanding. For starters, Paul and Silas were miraculously freed. In addition, the jailor upon seeing the once bound now freed prisoners, became a believer in Jesus. And further on that very night, the jailor along with his entire household, who also became believers, were all baptized! And finally, upon learning of this God-sized miracle, fellow believers In Jesus were encouraged in their faith.

In Closing

Gratitude expressed in worship is a commitment of the heart, grounded in reverence and love for Yahweh. It is not based on feelings, rather the unchanging truth that God is consistently good and worthy of thanks. And most significantly, authentic, grateful worship transports us into the amazing presence of God.

So today, be encouraged knowing your thanks to God is received by Him as worship. And if by chance you find yourself bound by challenging circumstances, remember that grateful praise offered to Yahweh has the power to free not only you, but others around you as well.

Next Week’s Post: Speaking Gratitude: The Power of “Thank You”!

Pray

Father God, I am so grateful for who you are and all you’ve done. You are worthy of the highest gratitude and praise, not just sometimes, but rather always and in every season. It is a privilege to both know and be known by you. I thank you and praise you in the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen

Community Question of the Week

Can you think of a specific time when your grateful worship lifted you above your circumstances and into God’s presence?

Encourage others with your response HERE!