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March 23, 2021

Learning to Worship

March 23, 2021 by GINNY LUPKA WORSHIPING GOD Quiet time with the Lord Worshiping God
Learning to Worship
I will bless the Lord at all times;
 his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
 let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
 and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me
 and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant,
 and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
 and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps
 around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
 Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
 for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger;
 but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me;
 I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life
 and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil
 and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good;
 seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
 and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
 to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
 and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
 and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
 but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones;
 not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked,
 and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
 none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalms 34

Worshiping the Lord sometimes feels natural and accessible. We establish a rhythm of worship and we see the Lord at work in and around us on a daily basis. Other times, however, we can struggle to feel connected and fruitful in our worship, perhaps when our routine is thrown off, or when chaos and grief overwhelm. 


Psalm 34 provides an example of the breadth of emotions we can have when worshiping God, and helps put some vocabulary on how to pray and worship the Lord when things feel tumultuous. Let’s take some time to meditate on the psalm and pray. 


“I will bless the Lord at all times…” Verses 1-3 provide a stanza of praise and adoration, calling God’s people to “exalt his name together” (vs. 3). Take some time to journal or speak aloud to the Lord words of adoration and praise. 


“I sought the Lord, and he answered me…” Verses 4-7 proclaim the Lord’s provision and faithfulness to the psalmist in the past and offer glimmers of encouragement as we face our present. Ponder how you have experienced the angel of the Lord encamping around you and delivering you from suffering (vs. 7). 


“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” Verses 8-10 shout a battle cry of praise and remembrance for congregational worshipers, reminding us of our call to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to remember God’s goodness and mercy. Ask the Lord to provide an opportunity for you to encourage a fellow believer today. 


“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Verses 11-14 instruct the Christian to fear the Lord, honor him with our words, and to do good and seek peace. Confess to the Lord ways in which you have not done these things, and ask him to grow you in peace, good deeds, and kind words. 


“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.” Verses 15-22 point us to the character of God–his mercy, grace, faithfulness, and power. The Lord continually saves us, strengthens us, and promises to punish the evil in the world. Close your time of prayer in asking the Lord to meet your needs–to deliver, to heal, to provide, to comfort, or to bring justice. 

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank you for providing reminders of your character in the Psalms. Thank you for your faithfulness and everlasting mercy. When we are overwhelmed by the world, or consumed by fear or worry, we are uplifted when we read the stories of your grace and provision in the Bible. Please draw us closer to you. Help us to bubble over with worship and praise as we go about our day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Resources
Book: Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith by Henri Nouwen This book delves into different spiritual practices and disciplines beneficial for spiritual growth in the Christian faith. It is wise, candid, and gently invites readers into a space of vulnerability and introspection.
Question for Reflection

What does “worshiping the Lord” look like for you and your spiritual practice?

Comments
Ginny Lupka
March 23, 2021

I feel the most stable and healthy in my spiritual practice of worshiping the Lord by spending time in the Word every day, journaling my prayers, and participating in congregational worship every week. I also really enjoy slow, meditative yoga practices to pray, grounding my spirit and my body simultaneously. Finally, helping to lead worship at my church and playing trombone in my Christian community orchestra provides other ways to worship the Lord.