Worshiping Jehovah

When we communicate with Jehovah God, we are not simply listening and speaking as we might with a friend or relative. We are actually worshiping Jehovah, according him the reverent honor that he so richly deserves. True worship is our whole life. It is how we express to Jehovah our whole-souled love and devotion, and it unites all of Jehovah's faithful creatures, whether in heaven or on earth. In a vision, the apostle John heard an angel proclaiming this commandment: "Worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters." -Revelation 14:7.

Why should we worship Jehovah? Think of the qualities we have discussed, such as holiness, power, self-restraint, justice, courage, mercy, wisdom, humility, love, compassion, loyalty and goodness. We have seen that Jehovah represents the very pinnacle, the loftiest standard possible, of every precious attribute. When we try to grasp the sum of his qualities, we perceive that he is far more than a great, admirable Personage. He is overwhelmingly glorious, immeasurably higher than we are. (Isaiah 55:9) Without question, Jehovah is our rightful Sovereign, and he certainly deserves our worship. How, though, should we worship Jehovah?

Jesus said: "God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) That means to worship Jehovah with a heart full of faith and love, guided by his spirit. It also means to worship in harmony with the truth, the accurate knowledge found in God's Word. We have a precious opportunity to worship Jehovah "with spirit and truth" whenever we gather with fellow worshipers. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) When we sing praises to Jehovah, unite in prayer to him and listen to and take part in discussion of his Word, we express love for him in pure worship.

We also worship Jehovah when we speak about him to others, publicly praising him. (Hebrews 13:15) Indeed, to preach the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom is one of the greatest commandments laid upon true Christians. (Matthew 24:14) We obey eagerly because we love Jehovah. When we think of the way "the god of this system of things," Satan the Devil, "has blinded the minds of the unbelievers," promoting vicious lies about Jehovah, do we not yearn to serve as Witnesses on behalf of our God, setting straight such slander? (2 Corinthians 4:4; Isaiah 43:10-12) And when we contemplate Jehovah's marvelous qualities, do we not feel a desire welling up within us to tell others about him? Really, there can be no greater privilege than helping others come to know and love our heavenly Father as we do.

Our worship of Jehovah embraces even more. It touches every aspect of our life. (Colossians 3:23) If we truly accept Jehovah as our Sovereign Lord, then we will seek to do his will in everything-our family life, our secular work, our dealings with others, our private time. We will seek to serve Jehovah "with a complete heart," with room integrity. (1 Chronicles 28:9) Such worship leaves no room for a divided heart or double life-the hypocritical course of appearing to serve Jehovah while carrying on serious sins in secret. Integrity makes such hypocrisy impossible; love makes it repulsive. Godly fear will help too. The Bible links such reverence with our continued intimacy with Jehovah. - Psalm 25:14.

Next time: Imitating Jehovah

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002