The Bible paints a vivid picture of what it’s like when the presence of God encounters man. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s interactions with His creation are recorded in detail.
Moses on the mountain longed to see his friend, crying “Show me Your glory.” And God graciously passed before him and proclaimed His name:
Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:5–7)
This memorable encounter has forever expanded our understanding of the relational possibilities between God and man. In this moment we receive a greater understanding of God’s nature. The I Am that I Am is merciful, just, and patient and every aspect of His character works without contradiction.
As God declares His name, Moses’ natural response is much like our own.
So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. (Exodus 34:8)
The revelation of the beauty and holiness of Yahweh provokes us to wonder and awe, and our only response, from our innate weakness, can be worship.
Some of the most striking passages throughout Scripture are God’s response to man’s worship, even in its weakest state.
One very clear example occurs after the ark of the covenant is brought to the temple built by Solomon.
Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13–14)
We marvel at these moments that occurred so long ago. But for the body of believers in the earth and for the Living God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, these days are not solely part of the past.
In this time before Jesus returns, the Spirit is maturing His Church, causing her to walk out the reality of the first commandment. One display of this is ongoing adoration of our King through night-and-day prayer and worship in anticipation of His second coming.
Jesus is worthy of all worship and adoration. And yet He has designed us so that worship benefits us as well.
Worship allows us to have a clear perspective of who God is and who we are in Him. Whether it’s in the quiet of our own homes or in a massive convention center with thousands of other believers, the power of worship impacts us more than we know.
In atmospheres of corporate worship, we are often able to more easily agree with truth that God speaks over us through the individuals leading worship. During these moments, as we draw near to God, He faithfully draws nears to us.
Although our God is always present, the One who is so near becomes noticeably tangible, making us aware of how close He has always been. This simple act of thinking upon truth, particularly during times of corporate worship, can help ease the weight of burdens and everyday life.
We often think of the expressions worship can take instead of what it actually is—the conforming of our will to God’s will, our agreement with God.
That’s why Abraham was able to pack his belongings and lead his son and his servants on a journey to surrender his son to God and still confidently say, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you” (Genesis 22:5).
When we outwardly express the inward conforming of our will, we choose words of surrender, submission, and agreement. We lift our hands and declare truth to be greater than the brokenness of our own souls, the disappointing actions of loved ones, the hurtful statements from those we’ve trusted, or the injustices of life.
This is not easy, especially in a world in which the impact of sin is evident on a daily basis in the form of hatred, lies, and violence.
But the truth remains: God is greater.
In a world marked by war, famine, injustice, and fear, He is great and greatly to be praised.
We don’t worship because we feel good and everything in life is perfect. We worship God because He is worthy of being worshiped.
Despite the confusion and terror in the world around us, the Lord is cultivating intimacy through prayer and worship and strengthening the hearts of His followers. Our eternal Hope is doing what He does best—drawing hearts into the place of love and truth amidst the turmoil of the day. And in that secret place, He shows us His glory and everything changes.
Just as He met Moses’ request to reveal His glory, the Lord is yet again revealing His name to His children. Just as He drew David into that place of knowing Him intimately, the Lord is doing the same in our day and time, particularly among worshipers.
Although songs led by talented and trained musicians and singers aren’t required to lead a group of people in times of corporate worship, they are effective in calling masses to times of unified worship. In response to followers worshiping in spirit and truth, the Lord reveals His nature, truth, and love.
“[I pray] . . . that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.” (John 17:23–24)
From this place the Lord is strengthening the Church to move into fully living out the second commandment. As we love the body well, we reveal His glory to a broken and dying world:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
In these moments the Lord opens the eyes of our hearts that we might see Him as He truly is—great and glorious yet closer than a breath. Just as Moses did, we too cry out, “Show us Your glory!”
