A Lesson from Swartzkopf

May I tell you about my all time favorite dog? He was a German Shepherd born in the midst of Desert Storm thus he was named after the general, Norman Swartzkopf. This dog was the epitome of loyalty. He loved me and his every motive was to please me. If I was sitting in my den he was laying under the window nearest me. If I got up and went to the kitchen he was soon climbing the back steps to lay by the back door. He loved to run with me and did so until very near the end of his life. He died of old age in 2004 and I have yet to replace him. The reason is probably because I loved him as much as he loved me.

The Greek word for worship in the New Testament is the word proskuneo. It is found over 50 times in the NKJV. This Greek word is made up of two words. The first is the word pros which means ‘forward’ or ‘toward’. We might associate this with our word prostrate (to lean forward and lie face down on the ground). The root word of proskuneo is probably the word kuon. This word has to do with dogs and likely carries the idea of a dog licking his master’s hand.

When I would sit down on the porch, Swartzkopf would lick my hand as if to say “pay me some attention because I worship you”. The lesson should be obvious by now. This word proskuneo means to prostrate oneself in homage or lean forward and kiss the hand in reverence.

I can learn something about worship from my dog’s relationship to me. Worship is what we do to express our feelings to GOD. Does this give me better insight into the attitude I should have when I enter the worship on Sunday morning? Am I as anxious to please my Father as Swartzkopf was to please me? Is my every motive to please my GOD? What is my attitude during the period of worship?

Sadly, we approach worship sometimes as if it is meant to entertain us. Let us realize, first and foremost, worship is meant to be for GOD and to be pleasing to Him.  Notice what the heavenly inhabitants did.

They gave glory, honor and thanks to Him. (Rev. 4:9)
They fell down before GOD. (Rev. 4:10)
They cast their crowns toward Him. (Rev. 4:10)
They sang to Him. (Rev. 5:9)

Worship is a verb; it isn’t a noun. It is something we do; it isn’t somewhere we go. When Abraham declared in Genesis 22: 5, “the lad and I will go yonder and worship,” let us remember that he was not talking about a destination, but rather, an activity.

Let’s realize when we say that we are going to worship we are not talking about a place, but rather, an activity. And let us remember the attitude of complete submission, humility and desire to please when we offer our worship.