Worshipping with Your Body

In the last of the Songs of Ascents, Ps. 134, we find that Israel has made her ascent and her feet are now standing within the house of God. And here we see what she has come to Jerusalem to do: “Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!” The psalm begins with the call to worship: bless the LORD! And ends with the benediction: The LORD…bless you from Zion! Beloved, that is why you are assembled here today: to bless God and receive His blessing. I’m sure that the people of Israel encountered all sorts of obstacles in making their ascent, just as you do: fussy children, marital spats, and heavy eyes (remember they walked!). But when they reached their destination they were to put all of that behind them and bless the LORD. That is the value of posture in worship. God doesn’t say, “Sit or stand, whatever suits you.” No, when you come into God’s house you stand to bless the Lord no matter whether you feel like it or not! Likewise He doesn’t say, “If you feel sort of silly raising your hands, that’s ok so as you are worshipping Me in your heart.” No (!), He tells you lift up your hands when you have drawn near to bless Him. The idea is that perhaps your hearts will catch up to your feet and hands. You see God created whole people with souls and bodies and intends for us to worship Him with both! And though sometimes He works from the inside out, He often works from the outside in. The Spirit works when the Word is heard, touched, and tasted. And likewise God trains your heart through your feet, knees, and hands. It is as you worship God as whole people with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, the strength even to stand, kneel, and lift your hands, that Lord will bless from Zion!