By Randall Murphree
July 9, 2001

(AgapePress) - Praise and worship are critical elements in my relationship to Christ, and I am fortunate to be in a church which recognizes their importance both for the individual and for the corporate Body. It was natural that I’d be drawn to the title of trusted and popular author Jerry Bridges’ latest book, I Exalt You, O God: Encountering His Greatness in Your Private Worship (WaterBrook, 2001).

Bridges purposes to lead the reader to a more meaningful worship experience. His success, of course, depends on the extent of the reader’s true desire to encounter God’s greatness. It sounds good, a little book on how to worship God. It looks easy, only 176 small pages. Its subject is inviting; after all, who doesn’t want to experience worship in a deeper way? Nonetheless, it’s a pretty deep subject.

On Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, I eagerly anticipate the praise and worship at my church, but there are times when it could be better for me. So I figured I’d check out Bridges’ secrets. He begins with, "What is worship?" Doesn’t everyone know that? Worship is singing praise choruses and hymns, and speaking praise from the Scriptures or from our hearts.

Then came his second sentence: "In Scripture the word worship is used to denote both an overall way of life and a specific activity." Two sentences, and already I was under conviction. I had to admit to myself that worship has not often been a way of life for me.

Bridges offers 31 readings, each followed by a prayer into which he weaves a wealth of worship-related Scriptures. The readings, neatly organized into four sections, address God’s greatness, His holiness, His wisdom and His love. Bridges reveals great depth of wisdom -- because he depends upon God’s own wisdom, including well over 500 Scripture references.

The author clearly writes about some things I’ve often sensed in my own spirit, but been unable to articulate. For example, some talk about and treat God as a "good ol’ boy," or "a buddy just like me." Somehow, that’s always seemed a little too casual, a bit too familiar. Bridges writes, "There should always be a healthy tension between the confidence with which we come before God as His children and the reverential awe with which we behold Him as our sovereign Lord. There’s a difference between holy familiarity and unholy familiarity with God."

The theme of the fear of God comes up many times. In regard to God’s holiness, Bridges writes, "Above all we should fear Him .... We must do more, however. The fear of God should work its way out in our lives in the vigorous pursuit of holiness."

After my first rush to hurry through the book, my goal now is to read it again, taking time to savor the feast Bridges has assembled from the Scriptures, study those truths in proper context and consider the author’s applications. I am encouraged that worship can, indeed, become a way of life.