Worship or entertainment?

21“I hate, I despise your religious festivals;

    your assemblies are a stench to me.

22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,

    I will not accept them.

Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,

    I will have no regard for them.

23 Away with the noise of your songs!

    I will not listen to the music of your harps.

24 But let justice roll on like a river,

    righteousness like a never-failing stream!

(Amos 5:21-24)

Praise and worship for whose benefit?

If we feel empty inside, depressed and disappointed with life participating in praise and worship may help us forget our sorrows, distract us from reality, make us feel good and increase the production of endorphin in our brains — the brain's "feel-good" chemicals so we feel happier for the moment. The better the praise and worship is designed in style, professionalism and entourage to give us a good experience, the more endorphin is produced and the more satisfied we will feel for the moment.

In contrast those that intimately know the Lord and are overflowing with His joy and happiness coming from deep inside. They do not need exhilarating experiences, professional musicians and great music to feel happy. Their happiness is already ever present inside even in their darkest moments for led by Gods Spirit and empowered by Him they live right and just lives in accordance with the Law of God. For them the love, peace and joy of the Kingdom of God is an ever present reality and so their praise and worship is just one of the many means by which they express what is already a reality in their hearts. Their worship is not an attempt to self-soothe and self-comfort for the Lord is their strength and comfort and He already has lifted them up. Consequently heir praise and worship is focused on God in gratitude and awe and not on self-gratification.