But as it relates to the worship itself, nothing should be introduced, but what is authorized by the Scriptures, such as prayer, singing the praises of God, reading the Scriptures and administering the sacraments .”
Spiritual Worship
Every thing around us shows that there is a God; and that He is wise, and powerful, and good. And from the sentiments of our own minds, we know that God approves of good conduct, and will punish evil doers. From His Word, contained in the Holy Scriptures, we learn that God is Almighty, and can do whatever He pleases; that He knows all things, and is perfectly acquainted with our most secret actions, and also with the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts; that He is with us, wherever we are, and is a witness of every word which we speak, and of every thing which we do; and we cannot escape from His presence. How strongly and beautifully is this expressed in the 139th Psalm,
“O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me. Thou knowest my down-sitting and up-rising; thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path, and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit, and whither shall I flee from thy presence. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand hold me. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee, but the night shineth as the day. The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
The duty of worshipping God by praising Him for His glorious perfections and wonderful works; by thanking Him for the blessings, both temporal and spiritual, bestowed on us; and by confessing before Him our dependence and sinfulness, and praying to Him in humble confidence for such things as we need, is so evident to every serious mind, that it is unnecessary to spend time in proving it. The proper method of performing this duty, and the benefits to be expected for it, will be the subjects of consideration in this discourse.
Knowledge of His True Character
God should be worshipped with a knowledge of His true character. To worship our Creator without knowing what kind of being He is, is to worship, like the Athenians21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Acts 17:21-23, an “unknown God.” This is the great fault of the heathen in their religion. They are very devout, and take great pains in their worship, but they know not the true character of God, and, therefore, they ascribe to the imaginary beings whom they worship, the passions and frailties of men. Yea, they are so sottish [foolish] as to bow down to stocks and stones, and pay their homage to gods of gold and silver, which their own hands have made. No service can be acceptable to God, which is not founded on a just knowledge of His character. To offer Him worship, under a character the opposite of the true is to offer an insult to the Most High. Hence, the great importance of religious knowledge; and none of you can be at a loss where this knowledge may be obtained. The works of God in creation are set before your eyes. The sun, moon, and stars; the firmament; the light; the changing seasons; day and night; the trees of the forest, and the beasts which roam there; the birds of the airs, and the fishes of the sea, all proclaim the power, wisdom, and goodness of the great Creator. But, we need go no further than to our own persons to behold the handiwork of God. If we look at our own bodies, and consider how curiously and wisely they are formed, having so many senses and members, and every thing adapted to a good purpose, and rightly placed, we may well adopt the language of the royal Psalmist in the same Psalm which we have already citedI will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalm 139:14, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” With such a manifestation of the perfections of God set before our eyes, if we do not learn to know God, it is because we do not like to retainAnd even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which were not convenient;
Romans 1:28 Him in our knowledge, and are, therefore, without excuse19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:19-21. This, the apostle Paul assures us, was the true origin of idolatry22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleaness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Romans 1:22-25, with all its vile abominations. And O how stupid, and how inattentive to the works of God are most men, even in Christian lands! Many grow up to manhood, without ever reflecting seriously on these things, or ever raising their admiring thought to the great Author of the universe. As men desire not the knowledge of God, nor improve the opportunities of knowing Him which they possess, it is just in Him to leave them to their own chosen darkness, and to punish them for the enormous sins which they are constantly committing. Verily, “they are without excuse.”
But as man is a fallen creature, the mere knowledge which reason can furnish is not sufficient. It does not reveal the mercy of God to sinners. It does not show how man can be reconciled to a holy God - how sin can be pardoned; or how the corrupt nature of man can be purified, and be restored to the image of God which has been lost. Therefore, God in great mercy has made a further revelation of His character in His Word. At a very early period of the world, He began to make communications to His chosen servants, and in the time of Moses these were committed to writing, and from time to time, inspired men were directed to add other books to the law given to Moses, until the canon of the Old Testament was finished by Malachi. Then, after four or five hundred years, Christ the promised Deliverer came, and taught the way of salvation much more clearly than any that went before Him. And having died for our sins, and having risen again, He gave commandment to His apostles, to go forth and instruct the world. And these holy men, like the ancient prophets, were inspired to write in books all that was needful for the instruction of the church, for all time to come. The writings of the apostles and their companions are found in the volume of the New Testament. From these two volumes; which make up the Bible, all needful information may be obtained. And so plain are the lessons of instruction here given, that “the wayfaringAnd an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Isaiah 35:8 man, though a fool, need not err therein.” They who have access to the Bible, therefore, can have no excuse for not knowing God. Let them come to this sacred volume with an humble, teachable disposition, and they will not go away disappointed. Persons of the weakest understanding may here become wise unto salvation. And if they learn the true character of God, as given by the unerring pen of inspiration, they will be led to worship Him with knowledge, and will be delighted to ascribe glory and honour, and praise and blessing to this august Being.
Reverence and Godly Fear
God should be worshipped with reverence, of godly fear. It is natural when we come into the presence of one greatly our superior, to feel ourselves overawed. And if this feeling is experienced when we are brought into the presence of a man, how much more reasonable and proper when we draw nigh, in worship, to the great God. There is a slavish dread which leads men to flee from God; and there is a blind superstitious fear which arises from erroneous views of His character; but godly fear is so essential to true worship, that it is often in holy Scripture expressed by this word. The wicked are describedThe transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Psalm 36:1 as having no fear of God before their eyes, and the common character of the righteous is “they that fear God.” The fear of the Lord is, by several inspired writersThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10, declared to be the beginning of wisdom. That God should be worshipped with reverence is the dictate of nature. All nations, when they worship, put themselves in an attitude of reverence. They bow their heads, fall upon their knees, or prostrate themselves on the ground. Indeed, the literal meaning of the word worship is, to bow down, or to lie prostrate. Every where in Scripture, worship is coupled with fear or reverence, so that where this is wanting [lacking], there is not true worship. God is a jealous God, and will not be mocked with the mere external forms of worship; much less will He accept that service which is prompted by pride and levity. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of His saints, and to be had in reverence of all that are about Him” (Psalm 89:7God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Psalm 89:7). “The Lord shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship.” Reverence is represented as being most remarkable in the worship of heaven11 And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 5:11-14, where the most exalted among creatures veil their faces, and fall prostrate before the throne of the Almighty. The wise preacher has left us this precept: “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil” (Ecclesiastes 5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Ecclesiastes 5:1). It seems, then, that a want of serious consideration is the common evil to which men are liable in attending the worship of God. And it is shocking to behold the thoughtless levity with which many enter the place of worship, and the careless indifference which is manifested by the most. This is a great evil, but it is not laid to heart. Many feel that they have performed a meritorious act, when they have spent an hour in the house of God; whereas God, who searcheth the heart, may know that they have not had one solemn impression of the divine presence in their minds during the whole time of their attendance on His worship. Reverence may be considered, therefore, as furnishing a criterion by which true religion may be distinguished from that which is spurious. False religion may have as much fervor as the true, but it is observable that the fear of God is not felt in the raptures of the fanatic or enthusiast. Such often affect a disgusting familiarity with their Maker, and use a liberty with Him which would not be allowed towards an equal. Where religious feeling runs into excess and extravagance, there is always a defect of reverence for the presence of the divine Majesty. This feeling would overawe the mind, and preserve it from the indulgence and expression of human passions, in the way which is sometimes observed in worshipping assemblies.
Humility
Humility is another ingredient in a truly devotional spirit, and is a temper so essential in the worship of God, that whatever service is destitute of this property, and however costly it may be, and however exact in its conformity with the divine rule in other respects, yet in the sight of God instead of being a sweet savour, it will appear vile and abominable. For we know, from the Word of God, that nothing is more odious in His sight than pride; and of all pride, religious pride is the most hateful. The parable9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14 of the Pharisee and the publican was intended to inculcate this very thing. The Pharisee represents the false worshipper, who makes a boast of his own performances, and of his superiority to other men; the publican represents the humble penitent, who brings the sacrifice of a broken spirit; and we are taught emphatically, that “a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise” (Psalm 51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:17). There is no need here of making any distinction between the humble spirit and the penitent disposition. They are produced by the very same views; and, indeed, humility is an essential part of true repentance. This is the spirit which is more pleasing to God, than any other which He sees in the human heart; and this is found in no heart but that which is renewed. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:18). “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool: where is the house that ye build me? For all those things hath my hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isaiah 66:1,21 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye unto build me? and where is the place of my rest?
2 For all those things hath mind hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Isaiah 66:1,2). And again, “For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isaiah 57:15). “Blessed,” says our Saviour, “are the poor in spirit,” and “blessed are they that mourn” (Matthew 5:3,43 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:3,4). Thus we find in the Psalms, which furnish us with every variety in the frames of true worshippers, this spirit is strongly expressed in a large portion of them. That worshipper who approaches the throne of God, clothed with the modest robe of genuine humility, always meets with acceptance. Let us, then, worship the Almighty with an humble and contrite spirit; and let us seek after such a frame of mind more earnestly than after ecstatic delight, or overflowing joys. Set it down as undoubted truth, that in proportion as our views of the character of God are exalted and spiritual, you will be in the same proportion sunk down in deep abasement, from your own vileness and unworthiness. And when you rise to join the worshippers in the courts above, this same sentiment of profound humility will accompany you, and you will feel that you are, in the presence of the Most High, less than nothing and vanity; and you will, with unceasing and unaffected humility, acknowledge your unworthiness of the dignity to which you shall be advanced, and the happiness which there you will for ever enjoy. But the deeper your feeling of self-abasement, the more ardent and constant will be the flow of your gratitude to Him that loved you and washed you in His own blood, and made you kings and priests unto God.
Faith
But “without faith, it is impossible to please God; for he that cometh unto him must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6) Indeed, without faith all worship must be a mere empty form, and however decent and proper this form may be in itself, in the sight of God it is no better than the worship of idols. The exercise of faith in prayer is expressly required in many places of Scripture. Our Saviour attributes a mighty efficacy to prayer, offered up in faith. We must rely implicitly on the promises of God, believing assuredly, that what He hath said He will perform. The question is often asked, Ought we to believe, in every case, that what we ask, we shall receive? To which it may be answered, that there was formerly a faith of miracles possessed by him who had the gift of miracles, and also by those, in most cases, in whose behalf the miracle was wrought. This was a full persuasion, that by the power of God the miracle would take place. But since miracles have ceased in the church, there is no room for faith of this kind. The confidence, or faith, which should now accompany prayer, is a full belief that whatever we ask in accordance with the will of God, will be granted. The divine promises should be our guide in offering up our petitions. But if we pray for blessing not specifically promised, we have no certain ground of confidence, that the blessing shall be given, for we do not know that it is agreeable to the will of God. But when we pray in humble submission to the will of God, believing that He will grant whatever is best, we may rest assured that our prayers will be answered, and that we shall receive the thing asked, or something as good or better.
The principle exercise of faith in worship has respect to Jesus Christ, the divine Mediator. As guilty sinners, we cannot approach unto a just and holy God, in our own persons. We must draw near in the Name of Him, whom God has appointed to be our great High Priest. As, under the Old Testament, no person could offer a sacrifice, but by the officiating priest; so all our sacrifices must be offered through the High Priest of our profession. It is only through Him, that any of our services can be acceptable. He must offer up our imperfect prayers and praises, giving them efficacy through His own precious merits. In our worship, then, we should eye constantly the Lord Jesus Christ as our Mediator, Advocate, and Intercessor, and expect acceptance only of His Name’s sake.
It will be found profitable to furnish our minds with such promises of God as it may be proper to rely on, in our petitions, and which we may plead before the throne of grace. We cannot stand on more favourable ground, when we appear before God, than when we rest upon His own Word. We should fill our mouths with arguments derived from His faithful promises, and then we shall be sure to prevail. “He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2:13). He will never disappoint the hopes which rest upon His own Word.
But we should see to it, that our faith is scriptural in its nature, as well as in its object. It must not be a mere speculative assent, which is cold and intellectual, but a spiritual, cordial persuasion of the truth as it is in Jesus. A true faith may be always known by this mark, that it “works by loveFor in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6 and purifies the heartSeeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 Peter 1:22
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Clease your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:8.”
Attention of Mind and Fervency of Spirit
God should be worshipped with the fixed attention of the mind, and with fervency of spirit. Spiritual worship is interrupted by nothing so much as the wandering of our thoughts. It is to be feared that the majority of worshippers have not their thoughts steadily directed to the great object of all true worship. They lay no restraint upon their thoughts, ever prone to wander: and when they stray they are not watchful and resolute to bring them back, and place them on the proper object. And even pious people are much to blame for negligence in this respect. They are, indeed, troubled when they seriously reflect upon the matter; but they are apt to forget the sinfulness of professing to worship God, while the heart is far from Him. This is one of the accusations which God brings against His ancient people. “This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me” (Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Isaiah 29:13).
Fervency of spirit is properly joined with fixedness of attention, for they go together, and reciprocally influence each other. If the affections be lively they will carry the train of thought with them, and if the attention be steadily fixed on the object of worship: the affections will commonly be excited, and fervency of spirit enkindled. The offering of the affections of the heart is the soul of devotion. Such offerings alone will God accept. All external services without this, however solemn and decent, are as a smoke in His nostrils; that is, they are abominable in His sight. The crying defect of our worship is the want of heart; it is mere formalism, or hypocrisy. We should strive then to worship God in spirit, and this we can only do by the aid of the Holy Spirit. We should then be much concerned to have that blessed Monitor dwelling in us, and abiding with us at all times. Keep your hearts with all diligence when you engage in the worship of God, whether in public or private.
Worship According to Scripture
God must be worshipped according to the Scriptures, by such rites and ceremonies only as He hath appointed, and not by forms and institutions of man’s devising. As to the mere external circumstances of worship, as to time and place, and the position and attitude of the worshippers, they should be regulated by the apostle’s comprehensive rule, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14:40). But as it relates to the worship itself, nothing should be introduced, but what is authorized by the Scriptures, such as prayer, singing the praises of God, reading the Scriptures and administering the sacraments. “In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 15:9).
Appointing rites and ceremonies belongs exclusively to the Head and King of the church. If men decree one rite or ceremony, they may a thousand; and by adopting this principle the Christian church was from time to time burdened with ceremonies of man’s devising, until her ritual was more burdensome than the ceremonial law of the Jews, and the ceremonies introduced often savoured of Paganism, and in fact, were adopted to conciliate Pagan and reconcile them to the church. But in regard to all these the challenge of God, who is jealous of His authority, is, “who hath required this at your hands?” (Isaiah 1:11,1211 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
Isaiah 1:11,12). It is of great importance to the spirituality of our worship that its simplicity and purity be preserved. Striking ceremonies may for a while attract attention, and make an impression on the feelings of the people, but the result will be, that their minds will be occupied with externals, and their confidence will be placed on these rites of human invention; and faith and spirituality in the worship of God will be banished: which we see alas! to be the fact, with those who have pursued this course. There is in human nature a constant tendency to lay much stress upon mere externals. Even indifferent actions and signs after a while, acquire, in the view of men, a sacredness which only belongs to divine institutions; and divine institutions themselves may be so observed that the external rites is substituted for the spiritual grace which it was merely intended to represent.
Frequent and Constant Worship
Finally, God should be worshipped frequently and constantly. Men are not required to spend their whole time in the worship of God, because they have other duties incumbent on them, which, by the law of God, they are required to perform. But God should be worshipped daily, morning and evening; and the Lord’s Day should entirely be devoted to His service. In the temple, the daily sacrifices and the offering of incense, which services were accompanied by prayer and praise, by God’s appointment took place every day, in the evening and the morning. And on the Sabbath the services were doubled, as this day was by the divine commandment to be sanctified by a rest from all worldly labour and pursuits. We cannot go to an excess in the worship of God, unless we make this duty to exclude others which ought not to be neglected. Some persons may be so situated that they can devote their whole time to prayer, and other devotional exercises, as did the aged Anna36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-38, who spent all her time within the precincts of the temple, occupied in fasting and prayer. And some aged widows now might pursue a similar course. But all who have families and worldly occupations must attend not merely to one, but to the whole circle of prescribed duties, whether devotional or relative. I have read an anecdote of a woman in England, who took up the opinion that her whole time ought to be spent in prayer, and she therefore entirely neglected her family and her domestic duties. A godly minister having heard of the case, visited the house, and seeing all things lying in filth and confusion, raised his voice and said, in an authoritative tone, “Is there no fear of God in this house, that the care of the family is so neglected?” Which cutting reproof had the effect of reclaiming the misguided matron from her error. But, in our day, there is little occasion to warn men against spending too much time in devotional exercise; especially such as are private. There is more need to excite them to greater diligence in this highest and noblest employment in which a creature can be engaged. We find that the saints, of whom we read in Scripture, were accustomed to be frequent in their prayers. David says in one place, “Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgments;” (Psalm 119:164Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:164) and in another place, “Evening and morning and noon will I pray” (Psalm 55:17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:17). It was the custom of DanielNow, when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, as he did aforetime.
Daniel 6:10, from which no terrors could induce him to depart, to pray to God three times every day.
Our prayers and praises should not only be frequent, but constant. It is asked, “Will the hypocrite always call on God?” (Job 27:8-108 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
Job 27:8-10). Perseverance in prayer is much inculcated by our Lord and His apostles. Success is especially ascribed to earnest continuance in prayer, in the case of the oppressed widow, and the neighbour seeking a supply of bread to set before his friend. And the exhortations of Paul are frequent and urgent on this point: “PrayPray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 without ceasing.” “Be instantRejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 12:12 in prayer.” “PrayI will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1 Timothy 2:8 every where, holding up holy hands.” “And he (Christ) spake a parable to this end, that men ought always1 And he spake a parable unto them to his end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:1-8 to pray and not to faint”.
From what has been said, we may infer, that under all dispensations and in all worlds, the highest duty of all rational creatures is, to WORSHIP GOD; and that all who live in the neglect of divine worship, are living in a state of rebellion against the King of heaven; for they are constantly disobeying one of the fundamental laws of his kingdom, from the obligation of which there can be no dispensation. Such are practical atheists, for they are “without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonweath of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Ephesians 2:12). They are more inexcusable than the speculative atheist, for he worships not God, because he believes not in His existence; but these believe, and yet refuse to worship. They are more irreligious than the heathen, for all these worship some sort of gods, and generally they are very devout in attendance on their superstitious services.
What an unreasonable thing is it for a creature to refuse to worship his Creator, from whom he derives his being! What base ingratitude is it to be receiving and using the blessings of a bountiful Providence, and yet never acknowledge the hand from which they proceed! How preposterous and vain is the hope which such persons entertain, that when they die they shall go to heaven, since they have no taste for the exercises of heaven! There God is worshipped without ceasing, by all the inhabitants of the place; but what would they do in such a society, who always hated prayer and devotion? Their presence would disturb the harmony of the celestial songs. If by any accident they could enter that high and holy place, it would be necessary immediately to cast them out. And they themselves would wish to depart, for the songs of saints and angels could afford no pleasure to those whose hearts are alienated from God, and who have no relish for devotional exercises.
Again, it may be remarked, that if any are desirous of knowing how they may glorify God most effectually, and most in accordance with His will, they cannot serve God better in any exercise, or in any way, than by sincerely engaging in His worship. In divine worship, the noblest exercises of the soul are elicited. Adoration, veneration, love, gratitude, joy, faith, repentance, humility, confidence, self-dedication, and hope, are all put into requisition. The more frequently, and the more purely we worship God, the more genuine piety is enkindled, and the more constantly will the holy flame be kept alive. And the livelier our spirit of devotion, the stronger will be the impulse which will bear us on in the performance of other good works. And this spirit, like leaven in the mass of meal, will pervade and sanctify all our other doings. If the Christian desires a happy life, let him cultivate a devotional spirit. This is the instrument by which pure joy may be drawn from the fountain of living waters. Certainly, our chief joy should be in God, and this joy of the Lord would be our daily strength. And in the dark and cloudy day of adversity, when thick clouds gather around us, and water-spouts burst upon us, and all His billows go over us, what will be our condition, unless we have a refuge from trouble in God? And we can approach Him only by the exercises and ordinances of devotion. If heaven be, as was said, a place of sublime devotion, then what better preparation can we make for an entrance into another world, than by cultivating the spirit of genuine devotion? If we find it to be our highest privilege and sweetest pleasure to draw near to God here in devotional exercises, we shall not be reluctant to be translated to that world, where we shall be able to worship Him in perfection.
“Spiritual Worship” is from Archibald Alexander’s Practical Sermons, reprinted by the Southern Presbyterian Press in 1997.
