Scripture: John: “After this I looked and behold a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, (and) crying out with a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God saying: “AMEN! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! AMEN!”
Observation: If I can stop being distracted by the strange but wonderful magnificence of the Vision given to John, I am able to see the depth and intensity of worship of the inhabitants of Heaven. How can I reflect this? What spurs me upward and onward? What are the speed bumps that affect me?
Application: Up to this point so far in Revelation of John we have angelic creatures of all sorts flying around, in proclamation, chanting, singing, etc. We also have elders who are usually on their face a lot before God and the Lamb, also proclaiming and singing. They are giving up (throwing) their awards (crowns) at the foot of the throne. They are spontaneously composing songs, new songs, to sing to the Lord their God.
John is looking around and seeing a ton of folks, more than the eye could see, every tribe, nation, tongue raising their voice loudly: “Salvation belongs to God and the Lamb!!”
When this kind of picture is given over and over, I have been told that the consistency of testimony is, in police work, a clue. So, I want to write to the face in the mirror. What do I write about here?
I notice that what and who John writes about isn’t exactly modeled by me. In fact, I am far from being able to slide into the group described by John and take up the same exclamations of worship without feeling like I am lacking somehow or even belong.
I check off on myself: Falling on my face? No for me: I am too old, fat and my knees hurt. Loud voice? Ok, maybe. But my throat gets sore and I run out of breath. Besides, somebody might look at me cross-eyed and I would be embarrassed. Spontaneous singing of a new song? Hard: I don’t even remember old songs well—besides, what rises up way too often in my mind is Elvis, Ray or Aretha. Beach Boys, TDK, and if feeling mischievous: Ray Stevens.
The thing is: how I pursue and immerse myself in worship here may be indicative of how I worship there. Since I don’t want to be found lacking what can I do?
Whatever I do, there are three things to pay attention to:
- Resist fear of man. Boy, I get caught up with this one a lot. “What does so and so think of me?”
-
Look to the Word of God for a guide on what to do. Tradition and what is done locally is one thing; looking to do well for the Audience of One has eternal pay back.
- Go slow but be persistent to grow. Let the Holy Spirit’s encouragement come through.
- Don’t look for variety in godly songs; look for good doctrine, something to sing to my soul about and hopefully sustaining it.
Prayer: Father—Thank You for letting me write. Thank you for revealing Your testimony through Your word just what and when I need it. Thank You for speaking to me and comforting me. What would I do without You, O God? AMEN.