Worship!

Worship! 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

Revelation 4:11 KJV

The context: John the Beloved had been banished to the Island of Patmos because of his faith in Christ. He had a choice: depression or deep devotion to God. He chose right: the start of this book of Revelation speaks to him being in the Spirit on the Lord's day. My external circumstances are not as important as my inner witness. Situations around me may change, but as long as I do not lose that vital connection with God, I am safe indeed.

It was in this context that John had amazing revelations about the things that are now revealing themselves, and the things yet to come, but which are near. It is important to also emphasize the context of today's extract: until the heavens are opened over my life, there is very little I can receive from or achieve for God. I may labour under my own banner, but because God is not involved, I will struggle. So, if I am to receive the amazing things God has in store for me, the secret is in getting heaven to be open over my life. Then, I will see God for who He is, and my worship and service can be done right.

The whole of the chapter where today's extract is taken from is devoted to describing the One to whom all worship and praise is due. There are no recorded words from the One who sits on the throne in the whole chapter, yet some eternal words are spoken about Him. His throne is described; his appearance is likened to materials quite unique in their rarity; the creatures who surround his throne as well as the ones who worship Him are described. 

If the whole of heaven treats the One upon the throne this way, and the Bible records that these creatures worship the One on the throne day and night, can less be expected of me? Could it be that the reason why I do not worship Him the right way is because I do not know Him?

Oh yes, I may have heard a lot about Him; listened to several testimonies about His mighty work and miracles; seen Him at work in the lives of people, but is that all I know? If the heavens are not opened, and I am able to catch a glimpse of Who it is that the whole heaven worships, my worship of Him will be limited. 

Read again the extract: One who is worthy must have done something to deserve all the praise. He is the Creator, who humbled Himself to our level, gave up his glory and died like a wretched sinner so we could all walk away from the consequences of our sin. He rose again and was restored to His glory, yet He intercedes for us to the end, so we can inherit all He is and has.

He is worthy to receive glory, honour and power. We were created for His pleasure, and we were made to give Him glory. Actually, nothing I do changes who He is, but if I will be all I was made to be, my life must be a constant stream of praise and appreciation for who God is, what He had done, what He has given me, and where He is bringing me to. 

If I do not know or understand my purpose in creation, there is no way I will live to glorify the One who made, gifted and placed me. I ask God to give me a glimpse of heaven so I can fully appreciate who He is, what He has done and given, and how I am to worship Him acceptably. His time of favour is here.