Doxo-what?
If your first response to the mention of doxologies is ‘Doxo-what?’, this blog is for you. Everyone else can nod wisely and pretend they knew all along!
At New Life, we’ve recently started a new sermon series, ‘Doxology: In Praise of His Nature and Name’. A Doxology is an expression of praise to God. The word is comprised of two Greek words doxa, meaning glory, greatness, honour, and logos, meaning a word, speech, or statement. Theologian John Piper explains how doxologies work in the Bible. They refer first to ‘something that God has done or will do, and then they ‘ascribe attributes to God that account for that action, or are expressed in the action.’
If that all feels a bit academic to you, be assured this is all about resourcing our worship of God. Try this exercise: What can you see around you? Focus on something of the natural world – a tree, a flower, the sky, your cat or dog, your own hand.
Now consider the organic complexity of that thing, begin to marvel at its existence. What does it say about our Creator God? Begin to praise him for what is revealed by your reflection. You could say, ‘Great Creator God, the simplest thing you have made is more complex than the most complicated human-made thing. You do all things well because you are perfect, complete, purposeful and infinite in your creativity. You are the source of everything we need for life and godliness. Praise be to you forevermore.’
This is starting to look like a doxology, although not quite up there with the ones in the Bible! Isn’t it amazing how grounding our worship in our knowledge and experience of who God is and what he has done gives rise to the most powerful faith-surging declarations of his greatness?
The Bible is packed with doxologies, where praise bursts out from acknowledging what God has done and how that describes his wonderful nature. Over this sermon series we’ll look at how we can give thanks with great joy because God is love, God is holy, God is wise, God is glorious, God is all-powerful, God is all-knowing and God is all-present. Let’s engage with these sermons by responding to their upward call to delight in God. Let’s focus on him with a fresh energy and zeal rooted in an increased sense of his power and his kindness. Let’s be a community that is known for expressing our heartfelt appreciation to our Almighty God.
Phil Andrews