READING: Joel 1-3, Revelation 5
“The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 5:12
Years ago, I sang in a choir presentation that focused on the worthiness of the Lamb to receive praise. I can still hear the words in my head, “Worthy . . . worthy . . . worthy is the Lamb!” These days, I love opportunities I have to join with missionaries and sing praises to the One who has “redeemed people for God by [His] blood from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). There’s nothing quite like singing God’s worth with people who are giving their lives so others will know Him.
What I wonder about today, though, is whether I always respond as appropriately as the living creatures and the elders did in the book of Revelation: they fell down before Him and worshipped (Rev. 5:8, 14). I realize, of course, that one’s physical position in worship is not nearly as important as the position of one’s heart at the moment of worship. The person on his knees whose heart is filled with arrogance is hardly in a position to worship. On the other hand, I cannot get away from the fact that many people who encountered God in the scriptures fell on their face when they did so.
If I truly believe that “The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy” (Rev. 5:12), I don’t know how I can always remain standing when I approach Him in prayer and praise. His worthiness only magnifies my unworthiness to stand at all.
ACTION STEPS:
- Pick a favorite praise chorus, and sing it throughout the day today.
- Spend some time on your face before God today.
PRAYER: “Jesus, You alone are worthy. I bow before You this day.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Amos 1-3, Revelation 6
