A Legacy of Worship

Worship probably isn't the top word that comes to someone's mind when thinking about a legacy. Words like heirloom, character, stories, and love might be more common. But have you ever thought about the fact that how (and who) you worship will also become part of our legacy?

Scripture says we should pass down the worship of God from one generation to the next:

“These things we have heard and known, that our fathers told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generations the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might, the wonders he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” (Psalm 78:3-4, a Maskil of Asaph)

It’s part of our worship to proclaim the truths of God to others, and to show them a glimpse the majesty of God through our worship. Take Asaph, the writer of the passage above, for example: He is one of the only authors of the Psalms apart from King David. He served in the temple and was elevated from a cymbal player to chief musician. He and “the sons of Asaph” were appointed to serve at the dedication of the temple. Asaph faithfully served in worship through the years and passed down his love for worshiping God down to his sons and others, who in turn did the same to their sons, and their sons, and on down the line for generations. For hundreds of years it was “the sons of Asaph” who led in worship at important events in Israel. Even 400 years later when the temple was being rebuilt after the Babylonian invasion, it was yet again the sons of Asaph who led worship when the foundation was laid. 400 years! That is quite a legacy Asaph left for the generations to come. The taught the worship of God, kept it sacred and passed down these skills and truths to those around him. Can you imagine generations after you being know because of how you worshipped God and the passion for God's glory you passed along? Wow! Worship was Asaph's legacy. I pray it's mine as well. 

This is exactly why worship is more than just personal; it is congregational for a reason. We should pass along our personal worship corporately so that it can become generational. In taking part of worshiping God together, we encourage others to see God, know God and find him as our ultimate delight. We can worship in a way that points the generation to come of the glory and worthiness of God. There is so much more to worship at the people of God than style and preference. It involves sacrifice, not comfort. We can worship with abandon no matter where we are because GOD is far more worthy than what we feeling in the moment or if we really like the style or not. We are warring against our selfish nature to offer to God our full selves, focusing on His glory and laying aside any facade of our own. We can recklessly pour ourselves before God because he is worth every ounce of passion we have. We can do this in front of our children, those around us, not to draw attention to ourselves, but to show with our lives that God is worthy. Our audience is ONE. We sing with everything of the glorious things God has done, of his wonders so that we put our hope in God, but so our children do too. Hope isn't found by more head knowledge, because our minds often forget what God has done. No, hope originates from the heart - in what we worship. Worship tunes our heart to the reality of God. The more we worship him, the more we will know him. I don't know about you, but passing on the worship of God is the highest and best thing I want to pass on to my children and those around me.

“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” (Psalms‬ ‭145:1-9‬‬‬)