The Beauty of Reformed Worship II
The Essence of Reformed Worship
Reformed worship is covenantal. The Form for Baptism used in continental Reformed churches says, “In all covenants there are two parts.” We may also say, “In all covenants there are two parties.” That is not the same thing. The “parties” in the covenant are the Lord and his people. The “parts” are, on the one hand, what the Lord contributes to worship, and, on the other hand, what his people contribute.
This statement must, of course, be further qualified. In the first place, the parties in this covenant are not equals. Therefore, their mutual contributions are not of the same kind or category. The covenant is bestowed upon us as a “testament,” a free and sovereign gift. Love came from God’s side while we were yet enemies. The Lord took, and still takes, the initiative. Thus, in its origin the covenant is unilateral, and it always remains that way. We are always on the receiving end. Even when we give to our God, we give only what we have first received.
Still, in the blessed covenant relationship there is two-way traffic. As a result, the various “elements” of Reformed worship can be divided into two groups: first, those elements that come from the Lord, such as his blessing and his word; second, those that come from us, his people, such as praise and prayer and offerings, but most of all the sacrifice of a repentant and thankful heart.
Conscious partaking in this worship ought to mean for us all that we are fully aware of what is going on. First, we are to be fully aware that we are in the presence of the Lord our God, who is holy. Then, we really receive his blessing; we hear him speak to us and we respond in faith. Finally, we give our sacrifices of thanksgiving to him, and we sing, not just for our own pleasure, but to the glory of his name. This, then, is Reformed worship, and it has to become our worship more and more.
