Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Revelation 4
Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. NIV.
Some of the most poetic hymns of praise to God were recorded by John in the book of Revelation. The passage which drew my attention is one of those great poems (and probably reflected the hymnody of the early church. At least early after John recorded his vision, they became part of the church’s worship and praise.) We see hear God’s glory and how worthy He is for our worship. John ascribes to Him great worth as both our Lord and God. God possesses the innate right to require obedience as Lord and as God, He has no rivals who come close to God’s power and authority.
John further says we are to respond to God’s worthiness with recounting His glory, offering Him willing obedience and emulation as a form of honor, as well as acknowledging God’s power in controlling the course of the creation, past, present, and future. In reference to the created order, John reminds the reader of God’s choice (will) to create all things. He was under no obligation to create. He chose to do so. Now He wills that the creation continue to exist. He did not crush creation like a potter does a lump of defective clay. Rather He chose to continue to sustain His world as He intervened in human history to create a people of His own, first expressed in the people of Israel and now in the Church.
As I meditate on this wonder of this passage, my heart wells up within me and my mouth acknowledges how great is the God of the Bible in His power, actions, and plan of redemption. Praise flows naturally in response to my attempt to comprehend God in His wondrous nature as Lord and God.
How tragic it is that today many people, even in the church, minimize God’s glory by minimizing His authority in their lives. They believe that what they feel like doing allows them to disregard God’s plan for living and so in practice deny that His is Lord and God. In contrast our lives should integrate God’s will into our actions and inform people of His love and provision. May we share His love and message of reconciliation to all around us.
God, I offer You the thoughts of my heart and the words of my mouth. May my life demonstrate honor and love for You. Amen.
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