“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand…”

Neil Marten, a long-time member of the 20th century British Parliament, was leading a group of his constituents on a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. During the course of the visit, the group happened to meet Lord Hailsham (i.e., Quinton Hogg), then the Lord Chancellor (highest ranking justice minister of England), wearing all the regalia of his office. Hailsham recognized Marten among the group and cried, “Neil!” Not daring to question or disobey the ‘command,’ the entire band of visitors promptly fell to their knees!

The incident reflects that although genuine worship comprises personal authenticity, the basis for worship does not arise out of an emotional experience, but that of an exhortation and expectation for the believer. Our verses for today are a great example that worship is not just a ‘suggestion’ when we feel like worshipping, but it is a ‘summons’ (and corporate summons at that), to come and worship before “our Maker,” “our God” (v 6-7). Note that physical postures were inherently established in the worship that was to be offered unto the Lord. The act of ‘bowing down’ and ‘kneeling’ were not the emotional responses to worship (though they may lead to that), but the positions taken before worship begins. The language carries the idea of falling flat before a superior when coming into his presence. Today, our gestures may be more subtle in dependence on occasion and environment in which we find ourselves. However, in light of recognizing the relationship we have with our “Maker” (i.e., Creator), indeed, “our God,” raising our arms in praise and affirming the petitions of our prayers with “amen!” is most apt in attributing worship to God. Physical posture is not incidental―the body bows because the heart should. Posture shapes and expresses inner orientation.

Worship also arises out of an understanding of our identity in relationship with God. Believers are continually revealed in Scripture as dependent “sheep.” Being “people of his pasture” implies provision and protection. Sheep rarely know where they are going. They do not find their own pasture in which to feed themselves; they eat where the shepherd leads them to. Indeed, the passage is rightly translated when it calls us “sheep of his hand” (v 7). We are, even if unknowingly at times, literally provided for and protected by the “hand” of God rather than charting our own course. This reality emboldens the summons to worship “our Maker” … “our God.”

Finally, heed these practical directives that pave the way to worship authentically directed toward our creative and sustaining God:

• Such a call to “come” and worship should be heeded by all believers to be part of a local church and enjoy regular fellowship. To worship isolated (unless unable) from the body of Christ is a misreading of this call.
• Though you may be emotionally ‘dry,’ do not feel that your appropriate physical posturing is an act of hypocrisy ― it is actually faith acting ahead of feeling. Let your posture preach to you.
• Let the sheep metaphor disband you of any self-sufficiency. Allow the time of worship to remind you of the provision and protection that comes from “the great shepherd of the sheep” to whom we yield our lives with open hands (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Dr. Bill Niblette, a friend of Bible League International, United States