Worshiping as God’s People: A Reflection on the Fourth Commandment
Worship is at the very heart of what it means to be God’s people. The fourth commandment calls us to honour the Lord’s Day and set it apart for him. But how does this call resonate with us, not just as individuals, but as part of God’s covenant community?
Let’s explore the rich tapestry of what it means to worship as God’s people and why gathering together is not just an obligation—it’s a privilege and a joy.
Worship in Every Circumstance
As Christians, we are called to worship God both privately and corporately. Our personal moments of devotion—whether in prayer, singing, or reading Scripture—are precious in God’s sight. Families, too, have a unique opportunity to worship together, teaching and nurturing faith within the home.
Yet, there are seasons of life when private worship becomes the primary way to connect with God. War, illness, displacement, or, as we’ve recently experienced, a global pandemic (this lesson was given in 2021), can limit our ability to gather. During such times, tools like Zoom or other online platforms have been a gift. We’ve seen how technology can bridge gaps and bring us together in worship, even when apart. For this, we should be deeply thankful.
But virtual worship, as wonderful as it is, cannot fully replace the experience of gathering in person as the body of Christ. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us: “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
When circumstances allow, we are called to return to in-person worship, to gather with fellow believers on the Lord’s Day. Why? Because worshiping together reflects our identity as God’s covenant people.
Worship and God’s Covenant
From the beginning, God has been a God of the covenant. In the Old Testament, we see this vividly with the people of Israel.
Consider their story: in Egypt, they cried out to God in their suffering, and he heard them. God delivered them, called them away from their bondage, and met them at Mount Sinai. There, he declared, “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.”
Throughout the Old Testament, Israel’s worship was a covenantal act—a response to God’s grace and faithfulness. They weren’t just a collection of individuals offering sacrifices; they were a gathered community, bound together by God’s promises.
Today, the church is the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). Through Christ, God has brought believing Jews and Gentiles together into one body (Ephesians 2:13–16). As the church, we worship as people who are bound by a covenant—a relationship initiated by God himself.
A Covenant Conversation
In Reformed traditions, like that of the Canadian Reformed Churches, this covenant relationship shapes the very structure of Sunday worship. Worship isn’t just something we do; it’s a dialogue between God and His people.
Here’s how how a typical Reformed service unfolds:
• Call to Worship: God invites us into His presence.
• Votum and Salutation: We acknowledge our dependence on him, and he greets us with grace, mercy, and peace.
• The ten words of the covenant: we listen to God’s law, which teaches us to know our sin and misery, and how we are to live in thankful obedience for our salvation.
• Singing and Confession: We respond in praise and humility, confessing our sins and receiving his assurance of pardon.
• Scripture and Sermon: God speaks to us through his Word, and we listen attentively, seeking to apply it to our lives.
• Prayers and Offerings: We respond with thanksgiving and bring our needs before him.
• Benediction: God sends us out with his blessing, reminding us that his covenant faithfulness goes with us.
This back-and-forth structure underscores the beauty of worshiping as God’s covenant people. It’s not just about individuals expressing their faith; it’s about the gathered community entering into communion with their God.
The Privilege of Gathering
The past few years have reminded us that gathering for worship is not something to take for granted. When we worship together, we bear witness to the fact that we are not isolated believers but part of a much larger story—a family of faith spanning generations and nations.
As God’s covenant people, our worship is a reflection of his promises to us. It’s a foretaste of the heavenly gathering, where all of God’s people will worship him together forever.
So, as we move forward, let’s cherish the opportunity to gather on the Lord’s Day. Let’s encourage one another, rejoice in God’s faithfulness, and worship him—not just as individuals, but as his covenant community.
And may we always remember: we are the people with whom God has made a covenant. That truth changes everything.
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Based on a lesson given via Zoom to the Karen community (June 10, 2021).
Two further articles on the Fourth Commandment:
What is the Lord's Day (1)?: Biblical Background
What is the Lord's Day (2)?: Observing the Lord's Day
