God does not instruct people to worship him alone because he is a narcissist, is insecure or is on a power trip. On the contrary, God is fully good, fully loving and fully committed to human flourishing. God is worthy of humanity’s worship just because of who he is; no other reason is necessary.
However, there are added bonuses and blessings that come with worshipping God. People become like that which they worship. As people worship God, who is fully good, fully loving and fully committed to human flourishing, they too, will increasingly become people who are good, loving and committed to other people’s well-being.
Another blessing that comes from worshipping God is an increased sense of trust in God. As someone focuses their mind and heart on God’s character through worship, they come to know more about him, but more importantly they come to know him more personally. Trust grows from this relationship. When someone comes to trust God, they are less and less interested in placing their trust in things that will not truly satisfy. Instead, they grow in their ability to trust that God’s way is the best way, and that following him will result in true satisfaction.
Fifteen hundred years ago, Saint Augustine wrote, “You have formed us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in You.”1 Worshipping the false gods of money, status, fame and power ultimately leave people restless and empty. Regularly practicing the spiritual discipline of worship leads people to God, the source of life, in whom they will find rest, peace, love, freedom, abundant and eternal life.