Proper Worship

There is a beggar who asks me for money every few days. He frequently starts the conversation by thanking me for the help I have given him. Then, he makes small talk about weather or music or his family or neighbors. Then always comes the “by the way…”

He is not my friend, though he wants his conversation to make me feel that he is. We treat Yahweh like that much of the time. Our thanksgiving comes as a prelude to a request. Our praise is related to things He has done for us. Our worship – the “in spirit and in truth” kind – is just rare.

Sing to the Lord, praise His name;
proclaim His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonderful works among all peoples.
For the Lord is great and is highly praised;
He is feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;
bring an offering and enter His courts.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness;
tremble before Him, all the earth.
Say among the nations: “The Lord reigns.
The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.”
(Psalm 96:2-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®)