A Time and Place for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” Stated another way, you might say, “…there is a time and place for everything.” Like so many other aspects of wisdom from God’s Word, this concept too has been misappropriated for various uses in our common culture.
While Ecclesiastes 3 goes on to list many of life’s concerns, do we focus on understanding the first verse? Before we nod in agreement with everything we have endured, or the things on the list we look forward to, do we consider the core message? Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares clearly that everything operates according to seasons and divinely appointed times. This order should be the foundation we follow when considering worship that is beneficial and righteous.
In everything, we need to focus on God’s will to know how we should think, act, and speak. Naturally, as humans, we do not always take that approach, but God’s will, revealed through Scripture, should guide the lives we strive to build. This is especially true when we determine to approach God in worship.
In John 4:24, the Bible records Jesus’ words: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” If we are honest with this statement, we recognize that what constitutes worship is not left to our opinion, preference, or desire. The world might consider this statement abrupt or legalistic, but when God says how something should be done, what is it other than arrogance or rebellion that makes us think we can change the pattern? Following God’s methods is crucial to avoid personal modifications that lead to vain worship.
Much as we try to train children to distinguish between right and wrong, God expects us to learn the same principle, as indicated by Hebrews 5:14b: “…those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” This discernment must apply to all aspects of a faithful life, especially worship.
We speak of the elements of worship — prayer, song, teaching, communion, and contribution — being observed on the first day of the week. God’s Word clearly presents these details by command and example. However, if we are observant, we notice man has modified these. Man has forgotten that there is a time and place for everything. Quite often, with our opinions and preferences, that time does not coincide with worship. What do I mean?
God has defined worship, and His Word does not offer us the latitude to add to the definition, to remove from the prescribed requirements, or to innovate worship to make it more entertaining or “uplifting.” The purpose of worship is to please God; He is the object of our worship, and He provides the pattern for our worship. When we ignore that God has defined the time and method of our worship, we worship in vain, and we embrace rebellion. Worship is neither the time nor the place to inject our opinions and preferences.
—Martin Kent Miller