Heart of Worship: 30 Days to Deeper PraiseNäide

Hi, it’s Mitch Wong here and I’m honored to offer you some thoughts around our Scripture for today, Revelation 5:8-10 (NIV).

“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’”

Wow. What a profound scene… It strangely reminds me of a TV show that used to play when I got home from school growing up, “Judge Judy”. Its tagline is “The people are real. The cases are real. The rulings are final.” Anyone know what I’m talking about? In the show there is a court room where cases are heard by “Judge Judy”, who listens to the arguments and pronounces her ruling in the end. No one else in the courtroom has the authority to pronounce the ruling except for her - not the audience, the security guard or the people presenting the case. Only she has the experience, the credibility, and the power to make the judgment.

Likewise, only Jesus has the credibility, the experience, and power to judge and redeem the world. Only He is fully God and fully man. Only He stood in our shoes yet remained blameless. Only He was willingly slain for our sakes and has blood powerful and precious enough to purchase salvation. Only He understands.

Some theologians believe that the scroll in this passage not only represents judgement on the world but also the scene in Luke 4 where Jesus opens the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue and reads aloud the prophecies of Himself. It’s almost as if Heaven was holding its breath at this moment. They had been waiting for thousands and thousands of years since the Fall in Eden for someone “worthy” enough to open that scroll and embody the words in it, someone who would preach the good news to the poor and proclaim freedom to the captives.

Is it any wonder that they sang a “new song”? Shouldn’t that be our natural response when we realize how worthy Jesus is? How much He selflessly gave of Himself that we should be blessed? How He died so that we could live? The truth is, we can know that Jesus is worthy and also realize it again and again. It is an infinitely-faceted diamond of His character. Every time you see it in a new light our response should be fresh worship. Even today. Let’s not offer Him a routine, stale song, but an honest worship - a new thank you. Sit still and think of all that Jesus is doing in your life. Think of His mercy. Think of His patience. Think of His intentionality. Think of His finished work upon the cross. Let this meditation refresh the way you thank and worship Him today.

One more thing I love about this passage is the way that we are involved. We may not be the elders or the living creatures, but did you pick up what our role in this passage is? Prayer. The prayers of the people are mentioned next to the ever-worthy Christ. Which means, we have a role to play! We are co-laborers with Christ. Our prayers have a REAL impact in this world. When you pray for your loved ones, your friends, your situations, even your enemies today, pray full of faith and the love of Jesus. Know that your prayers are rising to Heaven. They are heard and treasured by the Lord. Don’t underestimate them as you go out today!