Why Does God Command and Seek Worship?
The Bible includes many passages where God commands or seeks worship.
Here are a few examples:
John 4:23-24 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
The first and second commandments prohibit other gods and graven images:
Exodus 20:3-5 - Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Psalm 95:6 - O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Revelation 4:11 - Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things...
Why Would a Perfect, All-Sufficient God Want Worship?
If God is perfect, infinite, and lacks nothing, then it's fair to ask - doesn't wanting worship imply some need, ego, or deficiency? The answer lies in understanding the nature and purpose of worship.
Worship Is About Truth, Not Ego
God doesn't want worship because He's insecure or needy - He wants worship because He is truth and love, and worship is a recognition of that truth.
To worship God is to acknowledge reality: He is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and King.
Not worshiping God is, in effect, to deny the very nature of reality.
Romans 1:21,25 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God... Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator...
Worship Aligns Us with God's Goodness and Transforms Us
God commands worship not because He needs it, but because we do.
We become like what we worship. If we worship self, idols, fame, etc., we are deformed spiritually.
If we worship God, we are transformed into His likeness.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all... beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory...
God wants worship because He wants us-our minds, hearts, and lives-to be aligned with His goodness, which is for our highest joy and well-being.
Worship Is Relational
Worship is not simply ritual - it's relational.
God created us for fellowship with Him.
Worship is part of that relationship: a response of love, trust, gratitude, and awe.
Deuteronomy 6:5 - And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
God doesn't want empty rituals - He wants our hearts.
Worship Is a Weapon in the Spiritual War
The Bible paints a picture of a cosmic war - a rebellion led by Satan in which the core issue is who will be worshiped.
Satan tempts Jesus to worship him. Jesus replies,
Matthew 4:9-10 - Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Worship declares allegiance. It's a spiritual act that declares who is Lord.
Worship Is the Right Response to God's Glory
God's glory is so immense, so holy, so beautiful that the natural and rightful response is worship-not as a duty, but as delight.
Psalm 16:11 - In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
When God says He desires or commands worship, He is inviting us to experience the fullness of life, not feeding some cosmic ego.
If God Didn't Desire Worship...
If God didn't seek worship, it would imply one of two things:
He is not truly worthy of it (which is false), or
He doesn't care whether we know and live in the truth (which contradicts His nature).
Summary of Reasons God Commands and Seeks Worship:
Truthful Acknowledgment - Worship is recognizing God as He truly is-Creator and King.
Our Transformation - Worship changes us to become more like Him.
Loving Relationship - Worship is part of intimate fellowship with God.
Spiritual Allegiance - Worship declares our loyalty in the war between good and evil.
Joyful Delight - Worship is the ultimate joy and purpose for which we were created.
Final Thoughts
This is a valid question - God does deserve and desire worship. But not because He's lacking anything. Rather, it's because we are, and only in giving Him the worship He is due do we find the truth, transformation, and intimacy we were made for.