There is nothing passive about worship. In Psalm 100, “all the earth” is called to active worship of Yahweh (1). Today I am called to “make a joyful noise” (1), “serve … with gladness,” “come … with singing” (2). I am called to acknowledge who God is and who I am and not get our identities mixed up (3). The LORD is God, not me. He made me, and by virtue of that act of creation I belong to him. I am one of “his people” and one sheep in his vast flock (3). When I approach God’s heavenly court, I am called to bring something from my lips, not my hands: thanksgiving, praise & blessing (4). Why all this exuberance of gladness & singing & thanksgiving & praise (instead of complaining & whining & grumbling & criticism)? Because “Yahweh is GOOD! His steadfast [covenant] love endures forever,” along with “his faithfulness” to young & middle age & old age alike (5). How can I keep from this type of active worship with singing & praising & giving thanks & blessing such a good & loving & faithful God? How can I keep from worshipping like this during Holy Week, when God’s goodness & love & faithfulness was manifested so clearly in the suffering & death & resurrection of Jesus Christ? Not only am I God’s by virtue of creation, but I am also his by virtue of redemption, bought and paid for by the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world – MY sin. It’s no wonder “all the earth” is called to worship this God. I need to get into the habit of doing this now, because I’ll be doing it throughout all eternity.
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