Paper maps have become antiques in this GPS-driven age. I remember getting out the Road Atlas to plan the route of our next adventure. Now, I pull up some mapping software and tell it where I want to go. This article on Essential Worship considers the roadmap of worship. Consider it like using the right kind of transportation to get from start to finish. Like planes, trains, and automobiles (means of transportation and not the movie), there are three means of worship. Those means of movement are story, glory, and holy.
Using story in worship means recounting the goodness of God. Retell the old story. These are like memorial stones of God’s story. These include recounting the Cross and how God has blessed us today. Through those songs, we are telling each other and ourselves about God’s everlasting love.
“My people, hear my instruction; listen to the words from my mouth. I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past— things we have heard and known and that our ancestors have passed down to us. We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.” (Psalm 78:1–4, CSB)
Glory in worship is all about glorifying God. In a way, glory is the most common means and is part of both story and holy. All worship, whether it is retelling the Gospel or declaring God’s holiness, intends to bring God glory. These are the “you/your” times of worship. Those moments when our songs become prayers, and our prayers become songs. It is in this means of worship that we sing directly to God.
“Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, CSB)
Holy in worship declares who God is. It is focused on the unchanging attributes of God. Holy has two basic meanings: separateness and purity. God is completely other, and He is pure and unchanging. Some of the most powerful worship simply declares His holiness. There is a harmony in this. When we praise a holy God, we are reminded to walk in holiness.
“There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2, CSB)
“For I am the Lord your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44a, CSB)
“Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come.” (Revelation 4:8, CSB)
In all of worship history, these three have ebbed and flowed. Some have preferred to focus on one, but worship is most complete when these are blended. That doesn’t mean that all three must be present every time we worship. But we should regularly flow in each one.
To change metaphors, each one of the three opens a different door in our hearts. All lift up God, but in different ways. Story reminds us about what God has done. Glory reflects on what God is doing or will do. And Holy unabashedly declares who God is.
“Lord, who is like you among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11, CSB)
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