We’ve been chosen to clap and cheer

Seven-year-old J.J. was so excited. The day had finally arrived when he could try out for the class play at his school. Though he had difficulty reading and speaking without stuttering, he had practiced the part and was hopeful he would get picked to be in the cast. His mom and dad were concerned that his young heart would be broken if he were left out. 

That night, J.J. met his dad at the door when he got home from work. “Guess what, Dad!” he shouted. “I got a part in the play. I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer.”

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

Worship is responding to God for what he has done for us. He created us, redeemed us, and is in the process of helping us grow to be more like Christ. He is the center of our existence and the purpose of our lives. As a result, our hearts should cry out in praise for who he is and what he has done.

NINE WAYS TO WORSHIP

In the psalms, David provides us with nine expressions of worship. We can worship with our voice, our posture, and our hands.

1. Speaking – Psalm 34:1. “I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”
2. Shouting – Psalm 27:6. “I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy.”
3. Singing – Psalm 47:6. “Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our King, sing praise!”
4. Bowing – Psalm 95:6. “Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
5. Standing – Psalm 119:120. “I tremble in awe of You; I fear Your judgments.”
6. Dancing – Psalm 149:3. “Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and lyre.”
7. Playing instruments – Psalm 33:2, 3. “Praise the Lord with the lyre; make music to Him with a ten-stringed harp.
   Sing a new song to Him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.”
8. Clapping – Psalm 47:1. “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry.”
9. Lifting hands – Psalm 63:4. “So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands.”

 BOTTOM LINE – Clap and cheer for the one who gives you life. (Psalm 106:1-2)