Several years ago, the word “worshiptainment” was coined to describe a popular phenomenon occurring in our society. The word sought to reflect the fact that entertainment has been injected into the worship activities of various religious organizations. It is a sad testament to an increasing appetite of Americans to profane the sacred.
Worshiptainment is unbecoming of Jehovah. Consider these four reasons—found in Psalm 115—why this is true:
- God’s mercy. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy” (v. 1). Because of His great love, God is rich in His mercy toward sinful humanity (Ephesians 2:4). The eternally purposed plan of salvation which enables a person to go from being dead in sin to alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5) is alone sufficient to prompt worship that is focused upon God and His mercy, not self.
- God’s truth. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory…because of Your truth” (v. 1). Because of His immense desire that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), Jehovah spent about 1,600 years moving holy men by the Holy Spirit to record His incorruptible word, which is able to generate your new birth (1 Peter 2:23), build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32). The existence and ability of the Holy Scriptures is alone sufficient to prompt worship that is focused upon God and His truth, not self.
- God’s help and protection. “O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield” (vv. 9-11). Jehovah’s willingness to help and protect His people collectively, by families, and individually is alone sufficient to prompt worship that is focused upon Him and His goodness, not self.
- God’s mindfulness. “The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great” (vv. 12-13). “The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” (Psalm 113:4-6). What humility Jehovah truly has! Not only has He humbled Himself to behold the affairs of earth, He has humbled Himself to the point of knowing the very hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) and the death of every sparrow (Matthew 10:29). Jehovah’s mindfulness—His blessing upon countries, families, and individuals both great and small—is alone sufficient to prompt worship that is focused upon Him, not self.
When it comes time to worship, focus it like a laser upon the One who is worthy: Praise the Lord!
