Where and when do you worship?

 Psalm 138:1–8 (ESV):  

1  I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; 

before the gods I sing your praise; 

 2  I bow down toward your holy temple 

and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, 

for you have exalted above all things 

your name and your word. 

 3  On the day I called, you answered me; 

my strength of soul you increased. 

 4  All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, 

for they have heard the words of your mouth, 

 5  and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, 

for great is the glory of the Lord. 

 6  For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, 

but the haughty he knows from afar. 

 7  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, 

you preserve my life; 

  you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, 

and your right hand delivers me. 

 8  The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; 

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. 

Do not forsake the work of your hands. 

Where and when do you worship?

King David, the author of this psalm worships in the face of other religions, in the temple, when he needs help, when he is desperate, and when he is grateful. He is not bound by a set routine as his life overflows with worship to God. He even lifts God up ‘before the gods’! In the face of idols and other things with supposed power, David praises The Lord! Are you so aware of God’s love, power and presence everywhere, that you worship Him in the midst of darkness and depravity, when surrounded by other things that people extol?

It is not just in these places and at these times that David worships though. He also does so in the house of God, recognising the significance and privilege of being able to join with God’s people in His presence to honour, love and worship together. 

Also, David understands that worship is not just through singing and listening, but through submission to Him as he also bows down. He humbles himself before God. For even as a mighty and powerful king, David acknowledges and accepts that there is a higher authority than himself. David knows what it is like to be exalted as a man; once a shepherd, now a king, through the hand of God. He knows firsthand how God exalts, and so he exalts God in return as he acknowledges God as in greater authority and power than he is. David could deem himself powerful, strong and faithful, but he knows these are merely attributes bestowed by God. He couldn’t do what he is doing without God as he admits, ‘On the day i called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased’. David depends on the strength of God in his life to live the life God has given him. When David’s internal strength had been knocked, he felt weak and incapable, so where did he turn? Not to drink, women, money, work or friends, but to the only One who truly understands the internal state of man. He went to The Lord. Where do you go? Do you call to God and allow Him to strengthen your soul? Is He the source of your wonder and worship even when you feel low and weak? Do you approach The Lord in humility, with your body and mind bowed down to Him? This is real worship.

Putting God first in your life and making Him the first One you go for strength, peace, restoration, hope, and joy is how you live a life of worship as David did. It is not about the songs you sing, the way you dance or music you make, it is about how you live your life, what you trust in and bow down to. David made God the most important One in his life when he had the capacity and opportunity to do and extol many other things, even himself. David knew that only God can give what he needed; materially, physically and internally. Therefore, it did not matter where David was, who he was with, or what he was doing. If he was with other kings or the lowly, at the temple or not, before God or idols, when he felt weak or strong, sad or joyful, David worshipped and sought God. He desired and searched for God’s presence in every aspect and moment of his life, do you? Does how or if you praise Him depend upon where you are, what you are doing, or who you are with? It shouldn’t. God is the same wherever you are, whoever you are with, and whatever you are doing. If you truly want to live a life of praise and honour to God worship Him wherever you are, whoever you are with, and whatever you are doing. Then you will be living a life of worship far more beautiful than any song.