For the Christian, worship is co-extensive with life. Life is already an expression of worship.
Ravi Zacharias
We are in the Christmas season right now. It is less than a couple of weeks left till Christmas Eve. This is, how they say, a family time. The time when the whole family gathering together over the Christmas Eve dinner table. And on the following morning they exchange with Christmas gifts, having a special breakfast together, wearing funny and matching pajamas and so on…
I do not know how does your Christmas looks like. And, I think, it is solely between you/your family and God how do you celebrate this time of the season.
But personally, it feels odd to have an idea, that there is some kind of a special season or a dedicated day of the entire year, when all of a sudden family feels like it is time to worship the Lord Jesus together.
As for me, Christmas as well as Easter, should be celebrated whole year round. Thus the family time, which is devoted to the Lord God, must be as often as you, husbands, are missing your wives. Moreover, it has to be as sweet and exiting as you, mothers, are exited to hug your kids. And it should be as pleasant as you, children, are happy to open the Christmas gifts.
The time to gather with the entire family and your friends to have communion with each other and, more importantly, to praise and worship God is a lifetime event.
The Throne of God
The Book of Revelation chapter 4 tells us about God’s glory, and power, and might. His throne “is set in heaven“, and He, who sits on the throne, looks like “a jasper and a sardine stone“, and “a rainbow round about the throne” – (Revelation 4:3).
Such a beautiful appearance of our God. Though, I think, our finite brains cannot even comprehend the infinity and fullness of God’s beauty and majesty.
4 Beasts and 24 Elders
Furthermore, it tells us about the manner of how God is being worshiped.
These “four beasts” (Greek zoon for living creatures) are the highest in God’s hierarchy of angelical beings. They are always associated with God’s immediate presence.
These “four and twenty elders” are redeemed men (Revelation 4:9-10). They represent all the saints whom God has redeemed. Possibly, that those elders are the 24 patriarchs whose name are given in the Book of Genesis.
So, the four beasts day and night without ceasing praising God’s name, saying “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come“. They give glory, and honour, and thanks to Him who lives for ever and ever – (Revelation 4:8-9).
And the twenty four elders fall down before the throne of God and worship Him “that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,” – (Revelation 4:10).
Scripture
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
Observation
The character of God is amazing. His patience endures our transgressions against the Almighty. His love expresses in the most possible way of self-sacrifice. God’s mercy forgives those, whom men cannot pardon. And His grace gives us more that we deserve, even His presence for ever and ever…
May I ask you, what do you think the God of the Bible, Elohim, deserves? When is the season to praise His name and to glorify His majesty?
As Christians, as the redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we ought to praise His name for ever. And if you are really redeemed that is what your hearts must longing for.
Application
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- Do you have family traditions?
- Is God part of your family traditions?
- How do you celebrate your redemption?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your are the Holy God and only You are worthy to receive glory and honour and power for ever and ever.
We thank You, Lord God, that through the blood of Jesus Christ You have redeemed us from the bondage of sin and gave us the gift of eternal life. Thank You, Lord, for blessing us with Your presence in our lives.
We pray that You will forgive us our trespasses against You, reproof and correct us. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us closer to You, Lord God.
All these we pray in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
