Who Do You Worship?

 

The famous nineteenth century preacher Henry Ward Beecher was scheduled to speak at a church, but an unforeseen circumstance caused him to cancel last minute. Instead of calling off the service, Beecher asked if his brother Thomas, who was not famous at all, would stand in the pulpit in his place. When the church assembled that night to hear the renowned pastor, they were disappointed to see someone who wasn’t famous get up to preach. Many people began to head for the door until Thomas Beecher shouted, “All those who came here to worship Henry Ward Beecher may head home. All those who came to worship the Lord may stay.” With those words the church members made their way back to their seats. 

 

I have had a similar experience. Several years ago I was asked to speak at a church in the county, and the bulletin announced that Tommy McManus—the retired pastor of Philippi (whom I greatly admire)—was going to be the guest preacher. Fortunately for me no one headed for the doors, but I know there were some disappointed people that morning!

 

It’s great when a church loves its pastor, but they should never worship him. We do not worship personalities or people, but our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While “Christian celebrities” can use their platform for the kingdom of God, we should never elevate the messengers. Whether they are authors like Max Lucado, or athletes like Tim Tebow, their goal is to lift up Christ, not themselves. In Psalm 103:1 David wrote, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” To bless means to worship, give thanks, or to magnify. David wrote a psalm addressed to his own soul, encouraging himself to bless the Lord. 

 

To what extent did David say to bless the Lord? With “all that is within me.” With his entire being. David wanted to worship God with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength. At the tail end of that same psalm David wrote, “Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure (v.21).” His hosts refers to the angels of heaven, and the ministers refers to the human ministers who served in the tabernacle. 

 

David instructed his own soul to worship the Lord with all that was within him, and from reading his other psalms, we know he did. David instructed the angels to worship the Lord, and from reading other Scriptures, we know they do. David instructed the human ministers to worship the Lord. You and I can only account for ourselves. Are you a true worshipper of God? The angels are doing their job. The rest is up to us. May we never worship the one who brings the message, but the One who the messengers proclaim.