O Worship the King

A Bible Study for Women using the authorized King James Bible, the only inerrant Word of God

By Patricia Dowers

Introduction

All of creation was designed to worship God in its own uniquely perfect way. Psa. 96:9 tells us, "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth." Only perfect God has the right and authority to demand perfect worship. Many beautiful hymns have been penned by godly men and women over the years. We delight in singing them whenever we come together. The Bible also reveals other ways to honor and glorify Him in worship using every part of our being. In this Bible study I hope we will discover how we can give our best to worship the Lord in the way He deserves.

The Triune God in the infinite facets of His Being, is certainly deserving of all we can offer up to Him. Bur worship, even by the most dedicated Christians, can only be imperfect in this world. God knows our weakness and our propensity to sin. The redeemed are still mortal beings who will not be perfected until we are gathered to Him in glory. How can our worship be acceptable to Him now? What do we have to offer Him in this life? The answer is, all that we have. Even in our imperfect state, God deserves our best worship. Our worship of Him in this life is a journey and Scripture is our roadmap. Please join me in discovering how all creation will one day worship God in perfection and how we can learn to honor and glorify Him more along the way to that perfect worship in Heaven.

Please note: In this study, as in all others, it is important to read all Scripture references for yourself that you may know what God has to say.

Session I

Worship the Creator

We are all, even as children, amazed at the wondrous account of creation in Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2. The pictures that formed in my mind cannot even begin to portray the scope of it all The Lord God spoke and the Universe appeared from the gigantic stars and planets to the tiniest molecules and atoms. All took their place in His perfect plan. Nothing was overlooked, or needed reworking. Everything displayed its boundaries and fulfilled its purpose. Everything within its limitations exhibited its Creator.

God created the inanimate world, rocks, trees, and the elements. He created the animate world, all creatures having life. Then God created man in His own image. He created all to respond to Him in worship. How can the elements of creation without life, having only existence and presence, worship God? This is one of the mysteries of God beyond human comprehension, but let us look to Scripture to see what the Lord says on the subject. Psa. 96: 11-13 and Psa. 98: 7-9 are two very similar Bible passages. Please read these verses and answer the questions below .

How will the following elements worship the Lord?

the heavens

the earth

the sea

the field

the trees

the floods and hills

The Bible does not describe exactly how this takes place but we only know it will happen in such a way that the Lord will receive it. Some may believe all of this is figurative but why limit the capabilities of God by our very limited minds? We find another clue in Psa. 93: 2-4. Here we see the floods of the sea lifting up their voice by lifting up their waves toward the Lord in Heaven. The sea is probably the mightiest element on earth. It can move rocks and take down mountains. Yet it does the bidding of God Who created it. Can immediate obedience to His Will be a form of worship? I think there is a lesson here.

Animals were created with life on many different levels. Some are very simple, single-celled organisms. Some are developed enough to have a sense of self-awareness but they only exist in the present. They do not have the ability to plan or imagine the future or even be aware of their own impending death. Even animals who migrate every year do so by instinct and not by any sense that the weather is changing. My dog is very smart but she has no idea or concern for tomorrow. She only knows today is a good day because her needs are being met. For that matter, she does not even know she is a dog. How does the animal world worship their Creator? The Bible says they are waiting. Please read Rom. 8: 19-22 and copy v. 21 in the space below.

We are given a beautiful snapshot of the future Kingdom when the Lord returns. Please read Isa. 11:6-9 with your group. In verses 6-8 describe some of the new relationships we will find at that time.

In v. 9, what will be the reason for this change?

Perhaps this is knowledge that the animal world once possessed when they were first created before sin entered the world. Whether it is a restored knowledge or a new knowledge, how wonderful for them and for us! To know God is to worship Him. We can do nothing but respond to Him in this way.

The angels who kept their first estate and never joined Lucifer in rebellion (Jude 6) are the only beings currently capable of worshipping the Lord in the the perfect way they were created to. Who are these mysterious beings who spark our curiosity? The world has certainly been intrigued by angels from the beginning of time. There is so much folk lore and myth surrounding angels. It is typical of man to manufacture his own "truth" of what he does not know or understand. There are those who even believe we become angels when we go to Heaven. Not so. Angels will always be angels and humans will always be humans, yet in Heaven we will be glorified humans.

All truth about angels comes from God's Holy Word. God has revealed much about angels but to fully understand we must wait to meet them in eternity. When I think about angels the first thing I wonder is why God even needed them. After all, He is certainly capable of accomplishing anything for Himself that angels do. I believe the answer has to be that it pleased Him. Please read Psa. 103: 19-22 with your group. In verses 20 and 21 what four things do angels do?

We know from other portions of Scripture that angels are messengers, warriors, destroyers, rescuers, guardians, heralds and most importantly, worshippers of the Lord. As created beings, they are not to be worshipped or prayed to. They are as curious about us as we are about them, especially regarding our salvation. (I Pet 1:10-12) Please read these verses with your group. These verses describe the mystery of God's salvation that the ancient prophets wrote about though did not fully understand or receive until the fullness of time when God sent His Son to save us. The last phrase of v. 12 states, "which things the angels desire to look into." What must the angels think of us as we stubbornly resist the Lord's salvation!

Lastly, God created mankind. Please read Gen. 2:7, 21and 22 with your group. Imagine the moment Adam opened his eyes, not as a baby is born but fully aware, fully and perfectly formed and in full strength. The end of v. 7 tells us man became _______________________.

Man and Woman were created to be perfect companions to the Lord. What a sweet fellowship it must have been in the garden of Eden at that time. In Gen. 2:19, what did the Lord enjoy watching Adam do as his first responsibility? _______________________________

The Lord also created humans to worship Him in a unique way. Our bodies almost take these positions naturally when we come before Him. Please copy Psa. 95:6 in the space below.

The Lord must have been in the habit of walking with them in the garden in the "cool of the day" because v. 8 tells us for the first time they were hiding from Him. Please read Gen. 3:8 with your group. Adam and Eve were cowering in fear but the Lord's heart was broken. He knew he had been separated from His beloved children and He wanted them back. Only God could pay the horrible price to redeem them. Adam and Eve had no idea what was unleashed at the moment they chose to sin. Thankfully, we who live on this side of history have the complete record in God's Word. The price of redemption was paid when Jesus, God's own Son, with His last strength cried out, "It is finished" and died for us all as the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God.

Our Lord is certainly worthy of the worship of all of His creation. Please join me in the next session as we learn to worship Jesus as Savior.

Session II

Worship the Savior

Jesus is our Savior. He is worthy of worship for Who He is, the God of all eternity. As our Savior, our worship of Him becomes personal. We realize that not only our existence but our redemption from sin and death for all time was paid by His blood. Let us look to God's Word to gain a better understanding of why we worship our Savior.

God's fallen world needed redemption. In order to meet God's Holy standard which He cannot deny, there needed to be found a pure and perfect blood sacrifice. Please read the following verses and answer the questions below.

Eph. 1:6,7 What are we made through grace?

What do we have when we are accepted?

Col. 1:14 What does our redemption bring us?

Heb. 9:22 What is necessary for remission?

The price for our redemption and salvation could not be any higher. Life is in the blood and the shedding of blood means loss of life for what is sacrificed. For centuries the Israelites were instructed by God to sacrifice animals as a substitutionary sacrifice for sin in place of the final Sacrifice to come. This was a sort of placeholder that needed to be repeated constantly but was never meant to erase the offense to God's holiness. Any sacrifice would not do. The thing offered had to be perfect, without blemish, the best of the flock. It is not a sacrifice if we do not offer our best. The Old Testament sacrifices were tedious, costly in time and money, distasteful and easily set aside and forgotten. Periodically the Israelites would put it aside only to incur the wrath of God and the sacrifice would be reinstated.

The sons of Eli, the high priest of Israel were abusing their authority concerning the sacrifice. Please read I Sam. 2:27-31 and answer the questions below.

What were the sons of Eli doing in v. 29?

What punishment did God bestow on them?

This system of animal sacrifice, as mentioned above, was never meant to be adequate or permanent. There was no created being that could ever satisfy God's holiness. Only the sacrifice of God Himself would do. Praise the Lord, He was willing! How would God accomplish this? Please read Heb. 10: 1-14 together with your group and answer the questions below.

In v. 1 why were the animal sacrifices inadequate?

In v. 5 Who is referred to?

In v. 7 In Whom is the prophecy fulfilled?

In v. 9 What did God do when His will was obeyed?

In v.10 How are we sanctified?

In v.14 How long did this offering last and why?

The sacrifice of God's own Son was His greatest gift to us. There were no strings attached. It perfectly satisfied the price of our sin, and lasts for all eternity. Only our great and awesome God could accomplish this! All we need do is believe it. (Acts 13:39, Eph.2: 7-9, Heb. 10:39) Is this not worthy of all of our worship?

Let us look more closely at the cost of this sacrifice. God has never given up on His creation. Ever since our original sin in the garden God has been rescuing, forgiving, and restoring his children, over and over again. Why? There is nothing worth redeeming in us. We never learn our lessons. We are consistently ungrateful. But God is faithful and He loves us beyond comprehension.

When we think of the price God paid for our salvation we need to start at John 3:16. Please recite this verse together with your group. So many have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ through the impact of this verse alone. There are four phrases contained in this verse that we would do well to examine. Please read the Scripture and answer the questions below.
For God so loved the world...

I John 4 9,10

How much did God love us? v.9

Who is the only One worthy to bear our sin? v.10

that He gave His only begotten Son...

John 12: 46,47

Why did Jesus come into the world in v.46?

Why else did He come? in v. 47?

that whosoever believeth in Him...

Acts 4:12

What is the only name in which we can trust for salvation?

should not perish but have everlasting life...

I John 5:11-13

How has God given us eternal life? v.11

What is the assurance we have when we believe on the name of Christ? v.13

Jesus left much behind when He left Heaven to be born in a lowly manger. The Bible refers to it as glory. We only have glimpses, mainly in the book of Revelation of the glory of Heaven. There was the glory of the place itself and all that dwell there. But there was also the glory that emanates from the Majesty of God. There was the fellowship of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in glorious communication. There was also the glory of the angelic beings constantly offering up their praise and worship.

The Son of God left this glory to live out his days on earth as the Son of Man. He was disbelieved, mocked, often without a roof over His head. At the cross, He was brutalized and tortured in unimaginable ways and abandoned by His Father as God hung the sin of the world on His innocent soul. God did not leave His obedient Son in death one moment more than was necessary to clear our account. When Jesus rose from the dead, we who believe rose with him. Praise the Lord! Is there a better reason to worship Jesus, the Savior? Please read Psa. 18:46 together with your group and copy it in the space below.

Please join me in the next session as we learn how to worship the Lord Who sustains us through all of our lives.

Session III

Worship the Sustainer

What a wonderful security, peace and comfort in knowing we are not only saved for all eternity by faith in the blood that Jesus shed for us but, we are also sustained in this life by the perfect Will of God using all of the means at His disposal. I am sure, like me, you are interested and curious about eternity in Heaven. I am yet, however, vitally interested in getting through my time on earth. This is only natural, as we are still in our mortal and very vulnerable bodies.

Please read Psa. 103: 12-22 aloud with your group and answer the questions below.

In v. 13 How does the Lord think of us?

In v. 14 how vulnerable are we?

In vs.15-16 what is the frailty of man compared to?

In vs. 17-18 How far-reaching is the mercy of the Lord and who is the recipient of His mercy?

In vs. 20-22 Who are told to bless (or worship) the Lord for His mercy and watch care over us?

Are these not good reasons to worship the Lord? Let us look at some other examples.

King David lived all of his life close to the edge. He was a warrior king but, before this, he faced wild animals as a shepherd protecting his sheep. He stood against the giant Goliath when no one else would. He became an innocent outlaw hiding from the jealous King Saul. Later, as King, he fought against other kingdoms determined to subdue him. He even put down a rebellion led by his own son. You will find the record of his life in the books of I and II Sam. and his beautiful songs of deliverance in the book of Psalms. Please read Psa. 55:22 and copy it in the space below.

We can trust this promise, as David did, even in our darkest hour knowing we are loved and held in the palm of His hand (John 10:27-30). Let us look at additional Scripture describing the sustenance and protection of the Lord.

Prov. 18:10 How is the name of the Lord described?

Luke 12:29-31 What should we not worry about and why? What should we rather seek?

John 17:15 What does Jesus ask of the Father for us?

Phil 4:6,7 What does the Lord provide in these verses?

Phil.4:19 What will God supply?

Heb. 4:14-16 Who is Jesus and how and why are we encouraged to bring our needs to Him?

I Pet. 4:13,19 Why can we trust our Lord in suffering?

I Pet 5:10 What is the promise in this verse?

Jude 24 How will the Lord keep us?

When we place our trust in the Lord for salvation we can certainly trust Him as our Sustainer. How do we express our eternal gratitude to Him in Worship? While we remain in our human bodies, our words are so inadequate to express our feelings. Personally, I have sometimes stumbled and struggled for just the right words.

Thankfully there are many gifted hymn writers and poets to help. Have you noticed that many of the most beautiful hymns are either quoting Scripture or inspired by Scripture? That is because the Lord has given us His Holy Spirit to inspire the writers of the Bible who in turn, inspire us to worship in the way God wants to be worshipped. The Lord knows how much we need His help, even in worship. Let us look at some of these examples and remember, the Lord loves when we give His own words back to Him. There is no better place to start than the Psalms, our instruction book for worship. Please read these portions of praise and worship aloud in your group and consider some particular points. Make notes if it helps your discussion.

Psa. 8:1-4 importance of praising His name

Psa. 33: 1-11 praise for His creation

Psa. 47: 1-9 God's authority over the kingdoms of the world

Psa. 59: 16-17 refuge in trouble

Psa. 72:17-19 praise to His name

Psa. 100:1-5 His mercy and care

Psa. 103: 1-5 His salvation.

This list is endless because worship of the Lord inspires more worship. One day in Heaven our glorified voices, hearts and minds will be capable of the perfect worship the Lord deserves. This thought brings me to the final session, worshipping Jesus as King. Please join me.

Session IV

Worship the King

If you have ever beheld the pomp and majesty of a coronation you have a small idea of what it will be like when King Jesus is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. The most recent coronation in this generation was that of King Charles III of Europe's United Kingdom. No expense was spared, no detail overlooked and no bell unrung. All took place under the supervision of extremely capable and diligent men and women. The coronation of Jesus will be ordained in Heaven under the all seeing eye of God. He will take great pleasure in honoring His Son. Nothing will be missing or less than perfect. How exciting to think that as Christians we will take part in this glorious ceremony! Scripture gives a number of previews that bless us with what is in store. Let us look at some of them. Please read the Scripture listed below with your group and answer the questions.

Psa. 22:25-31 What is the reward of the meek that praise the Lord in v. 26? I see two.

In v. 27, Who shall worship the Lord at this time?

Psa. 72:9-11 How will the Lord be worshipped?

Isa. 35:10 Who will come to Zion (the mount of the Lord) and what will they do?

Jer. 10:10 Who is the Lord?

What does the earth do at His presence?

I Tim 6:15,16 What are the names given to the Lord? (v.15)

What are His attributes? (v.16)

Rev. 5:10 Who also will take part in the coronation of the Lord?

In Rev. 7:9 How is the multitude described?

Rev. 21: 1-11 describes the Bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem. How wonderful is it that King Jesus would not experience this moment without his Bride, the Church, at His side! Please read this passage aloud with your group.

It took me quite a while, I humbly admit, to gain an understanding of the role of the Bride of Christ and where I fit in to this truth. The Bible tells us that earthly, godly marriage is patterned after this Heavenly marriage to the Church (Eph. chapter 5) with some obvious differences. It helps us to understand the role of the church (the Body), in perfect submission to Christ, the Head. We also understand a deeply loving, caring, sacrificial relationship that is meant to endure. As the earthly bride wears a ring to symbolize the union, we will also be identified as the Bride of Christ. Please read the following passages with your group. What are some of the ways we will be identified?

II Tim. 4:8

Rev. 19:14

Rev. 22:4

How wonderful it will be to wear the symbols of our marriage to the Lamb for all Eternity. This thought brings me to another personal reason to worship Him. The ability to worship the Lord as Redeemer, Creator, Lord and King, but also Bridegroom, in perfect voice with perfect words is mind-boggling to me. I love music and have always admired (and envied) a beautiful singing voice. That is not one of my gifts and it is my guess that the Lord knew it would lead me to some personal pride that I had no right to own. I thank Him for His wisdom. Still, it brings joy to my heart in the knowledge that I will one day possess that gift for eternity as I raise my perfect voice with other perfect voices in praise to the King.

The Apostle John, in exile on the Isle of Patmos, was given the revelation inspired by God and preserved in Scripture to afford us a window into the Glorious throne room in Heaven. Also recorded are dire warnings to all who reject it. Please read Rev. 4:10-11 and copy v. 11 in the space below. When you are feeling it difficult to find the right words to worship the King, use these. They are perfectly right.

Rev. 7:11-12 In this situation what was the posture for worshipping God?

This is the most humble of all positions for worship.

Rev. 19:6 describes the combined chorus of voices worshipping the Lord. I am thankful we will have our glorified ears at this time else we would be deafened! I am sure you recognize the final phrase of this verse as the one used in the famous Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah".

Below is a beautiful worship hymn that has been sung for almost a century in churches around the world. Please ask someone in your group to read the lyrics aloud while you ponder their deep meaning.

O Worship the King

Robert Grant 1833

O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light, Whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

O measureless might! Ineffable love!
While angels delight to worship Thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise.

I am not sure any mortal in this world could have phrased it better. I am so thankful that when my own words fail I have these gifted and godly composers to inspire me. Until we are gathered in Glory around His throne may we never cease to...

worship the King.