Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Worship before God’s Throne

Bible Reading:    Revelation 4:4-11

Key verse: "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created" (Revelation 4:11). 

DEVOTION

God is holy and is worthy of honor and glory: v 4,8:  Reveals the reality of heaven, the profound themes of God’s majesty, sovereignty, and worthiness of worship. Revelation was written during a time when people were to worship the Roman emperor Domitian as God or die. All were to say, “Caesar is Lord,” there was no escape. Christians were confronted with the choice: Caesar or Christ. John saw terrifying and dreadful things, but beyond them he saw glory for those who defied Caesar for the love of Christ.
The call to worship: v 8: The living creatures cry out "Holy, holy, holy" without ceasing, emphasizing God's absolute and infinite holiness. This attribute of holiness is what separates God from all creation and makes him worthy of all glory and power. Heavenly worship is constant and in direct response to beholding God's majestic nature. 
Pride humbled by God's authority: v 4, 10: The depiction of 24 elders who are God’s most redeemed people from all time being clothed in white robes and white crowns represents victory and righteousness given by God. Yet, in a powerful act of surrender, they cast their crowns before the throne. This is a symbolic gesture acknowledging that all authority and achievement ultimately belong to God. How much more are we to worship him in profound humility.
Versus 4–11 is a template for earthly worship. By shifting our perspective from the chaos of this world to the holiness of God's throne, humbling our pride by casting our crowns before Him, and grounding our existence in His creative will, we join the eternal song of the elders.
God taught me through this passage that when our minds are cloudy and turbulent, caught in the chaos and worries of daily life, we can stay focused by praising God, repeating “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come”. It brings my racing mind and thoughts back to God and helps me to remain in him till the storms pass and ever after. I encourage everyone to practice this joining with the heavenly praises.
 

PRAYER

Lord , allow us to praise God in the storms that  cloud our lives , and to calm our minds and enable us to stay focused on God. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"God never promised us smooth sailing, but He did promise us safe arrival" – Dr. Billy Graham.


Benzy John
Immanuel Marthoma church, Houston.

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