August 27, 2017

Worship the Lord

Revelation 4:1-8

Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

—  Revelation 4:8

The apostle John wrote this letter to the churches in Asia Minor in a time of great crisis. Persecution had greatly in­creased among first-century Chris­tians.

John was banished to the island of Patmos for refusing to worship the Roman emperor as Lord. From there he sent this letter describing a vision from God. He challenged his readers to see that what they were experiencing was a prelude to the joyful celebration that would take place when the Lord returns.

By faith we too must see what is going on in the world. By faith we must see that the kingdom of God has come because Jesus has come. By faith we can serve him with joy every day.

John invites us to worship God in song, joining with the four living creatures near the throne, saying, “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

Whenever we worship God, we are invited to sing with these creatures that our God is eternal and absolutely pure. No matter what season of life we are in, or what our circumstances may be, and no matter who the shakers and movers in our world appear to be, we too can sing, “Our God reigns! He is in control!” Because of Jesus we may joyfully approach his throne and worship him today.

You are holy, Lord God Almighty. We bow before you, the one who was and is and is to come. We thank you that our times are in your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About the author — John Van Schepen

Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.

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