Worship

Worship [∞] Teaser: Many claim to worship God in nature, but true worship is more than feelings—it is encountering God through His works and His Word.

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Worship: The Wilderness and the Word

Some people say they worship God in nature. But what do they mean? Some may unknowingly elevate nature itself as their god, a god of relentless competition where survival of the fittest reigns. Others, however, retreat to the wilderness to marvel at what God has done, contemplating His attributes as revealed in creation.

God is both dependable and unknowable—His faithfulness as sure as the sunrise and seasons, yet His vastness beyond comprehension. In the forest, He displays His heart for community, while the lone pine above the tree line declares His holiness. His Word flows like streams of life; His presence, like the gentle dew.

David understood that recounting the works of God was an act of worship. Worshipful feelings alone, disconnected from the knowledge of God's person and deeds, lack focus. They are empty echoes rather than the song of the redeemed.

Yet some resist deeper study. To them, ancient Hebrew, Notarikon, the mysteries of Scripture, and doctrine are dry academics. They believe they already know God—why dig deeper? But such knowledge can be superficial, like someone licking a discarded Popsicle stick and mistaking it for the taste of ice cream. Their understanding of God is secondhand, filtered through the diet of others.

The study of Hebrew linguistics is not trivial—it is the language of God, His whispered voice. The patterns found in Scripture are His heartbeat, His way of drawing our attention. And much-abused doctrine? It is the intimate knowledge of God, drawing us beyond sentiment into true communion.

I love the wilderness—the grandeur of God's majesty on display. But I love His Word even more. In it, He speaks. He shares His heart. He makes Himself known.

Forget Eve: The Hidden Meaning of Worship

In Genesis 22:5, Abraham tells his servants, "We will worship" (נשתחוה). When we break down this word, we see a hidden message:

• נש (forget) + ת (object) + חוה (Eve).
• Worship is about being alone with God, as Adam was before Eve.

How do we get this meaning?

The verb נשית in Lamentations 3:17 is translated as "forgot." The yod in this context represents the object of forgetfulness. Other examples in Scripture confirm this pattern:

• Genesis 41:51 – נשני
• Isaiah 44:21 – תנשני
• Jeremiah 23:39 – נשיתי

True worship is not about losing oneself in vague emotions but about encountering God personally, intimately, and deeply.

Addressing Controversies in Evangelical Circles

1. Can worship happen outside the church?
   • Many evangelicals emphasize corporate worship, but Scripture shows that worship is also deeply personal. The wilderness can be a place of worship, but not because of nature itself—rather, because it leads us to contemplate God’s works.
2. Is doctrine necessary for worship?
   • Some claim that deep study is unnecessary, preferring a purely emotional experience. But David worshiped by recounting God's deeds, and Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). Worship must be rooted in truth, and doctrine is the framework of that truth.
3. Does Hebrew word study go too far?
   • Some may dismiss Hebrew patterns as over-analysis, but Jesus Himself pointed to the deeper layers of Scripture: "Not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law" (Matthew 5:18). The language of Scripture is not accidental—it carries divine meaning.

Worship is not a fleeting emotion. It is knowing God, delighting in His Word, and responding with reverence and awe.