Worship Across Generations

The Church or the Body of Christ is composed of people from every tribe, every nation, every religious background, every language and every culture. The frog in the well knows nothing of the ocean. Our upbringing often limits us to accept only the style of worship that we’re  familiar with, but if we have a worldwide exposure to worship, we’ll realise that people worship God in disparate manners and the Father accepts and loves them all. 

Psalm 148:12,13 young men and women, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
This is a commandment and instruction toward different age groups to worship God. But the challenge is that the style of worship that a particular age group prefers may not be comfortable for another age group. Young people like fast and loud songs. Older people like  slow songs. Children like their own songs like nursery rhymes. God accepts all, and what we need is tolerance. Every expression of worship is unto the Lord. However, God is more interested in the heart posture than the expression of worship. Be it a silent or violent atmosphere, it does not upset God and He can work in both situations. 

Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 47:1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
1 Kings 19:12,13 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Matthew 21:15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

The children shouting in the temple courts was a spontaneous act of worship. It wasn’t preplanned. But the religious leaders were indignant and upset with the shouting of the children. 

Luke 19:37-40 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

To conclude, different age groups worship the Father differently; and therefore, let’s have the heart to accept them all and together adore Him who is worthy!