Through the Bible - 2 Kings 1-3, John 4:1-27
Good morning,
In response to yesterday's devotional, a friend wrote back:
Your insights reminded of a book I taught as part of a larger study on worship. In Joseph’s Carroll’s book How to Worship Jesus Christ, the author refers to Rev.4:10-11 as the example of how we should come to the throne in our daily lives. In a nut shell, Carroll says this is the proper order:
Fall down before Him: this means to go beyond bowing or kneeling; we are to go to the extreme and prostrate ourselves before him
Cast our crowns before the Throne: The Crowns purpose was to draw attention to the one wearing it; it exalts the wearer. We are to cast our identity to the foot of the throne thereby acknowledging who should receive all attention.
In other words, we must be completely broken having yielded who we are to the one who truly deserves to wear a crown before anything else can happen.
Exclaim, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power:… Now we can sincerely express His glory, Holiness, etc.
This seems to be what has happened in this great incredible seen with Isaiah; he sees only the train of Jesus’ robe, I believe Isaiah was prostrate at this point, he became broken by what he said and cleansed by the w/the burning coal His crown was cast. It was only then that God spoke to Isaiah or that Isaiah could approach the throne and express his awe and be commissioned an example of proper worship. Wow! What a seen and what a lesson! It’s my humble opinion that this is what we need to do in our quiet times w/God.
Today's verse comes from Revelation 4 that Larry referenced.
Rev 4:9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying
11 "You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created." NKJV
Something that I hadn't looked at in all of this is "worthiness". There is much worship going on and many that claim that their are many ways to God. But worshipping anyone or anything besides the One True God is not worship at all but idolatry.
Thou Art Worthy
Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy
Thou art worthy, O Lord
To receive glory, glory and honour
Glory and honour and power
For Thou hast created, hast all things created
Thou hast created all things
And for Thy pleasure they are created
Thou art worthy, O Lord
Read the passage below in preparation for worship this weekend. Let us consider how we approach Him.
John 4:23-24 "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself — Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
(from THE MESSAGE):
For more information and insight on worship, "toward dog" go to Shaun Groves site at:
http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog/comments/shut_up_and_worship_pt6/
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com/
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Rev 4:1-5:1
The Throne Room of Heaven(Isa 6:1-3)
4 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,Who was and is and is to come!"
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power;For You created all things,And by Your will they exist and were created."
NKJV
No comments:
Post a Comment