“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11
Sometimes we wonder if we deserve the good things we receive from others: the attention, the adoration, the awards. Our interior motivation does not always match the projected external image.
Not so with God.
Scripture tells us that God deserves our worship. In fact, God’s character and actions entitle him to all the power and glory and honor that exists.
The book of Revelation provides two of the reasons for God’s worthiness.
God deserves our praise because of his position as Creator, as seen in the verse above. Paul tells us, “For by [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him”(Colossians 1:16). God not only created visible things like mountains, animals, and people; he also created invisible things like angels, gravity, and our souls. The beauty, complexity, and vastness of creation call us to worship the infinite One who made and sustains it all.
We find another explanation of God’s worth in Revelation 5:9: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Jesus is qualified to judge the world (the seals reveal God’s judgment) because through his righteous life and death he redeemed humankind. Jesus’ sacrifice makes him worthy.
Our only reasonable response to such power and love is worship. Yet, God allows us to choose whether we will do so or not.
Lord God, I join elders, angels, and indeed every creature in heaven and earth, who in the end will say, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)
As you look around you, worship and praise the Creator who has provided for all our needs in wonderful ways and is also preparing us for a new, sinless creation whose glory and beauty is beyond anything we can imagine.
“Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 KJV
Our Lord wishes all His children would richly possess high and happy thoughts concerning His blessed person. Jesus is not content when His sons and daughters think wrongly of Him. It is His pleasure whenever His adopted ones are delighted with His beauty.
We should not consider Him as a bare necessary, like to bread and water, but instead as a luxurious delicacy, as a rare and ravishing delight. To this end He has revealed Himself as the “pearl of great price” in its peerless beauty, as the “bundle of myrrh” in its refreshing fragrance, as the “rose of Sharon” in its lasting perfume, as the “lily” in its spotless purity. (Matthew 13:46; Song of Solomon 1:13, 2:1, 2:2, KJV)
Remember how far Christ is exalted beyond the skies, where things are measured by the only true standard. Think how God esteems the Only Begotten, His unspeakable gift to us. Consider what the angels think of Him, as they count it their highest honor to veil their faces at His feet. Consider what the blood-washed think of Him, as day without night they sing His well- deserved praises.
High thoughts of Christ will enable us to act consistently in our relations with Him. The more loftily we see Christ enthroned, and the lowlier we are when bowing before the foot of the throne, the more truly we will be prepared to act our part towards Him. Our Lord Jesus desires us to think well of Him, that we may submit cheerfully to His authority. High thoughts of Him increase our love. Love and esteem go together.
Therefore, think much of your Master’s excellencies. Study Him in all His pre-existent glory, before He took on Himself human form. Think of the mighty love which drew Him from His throne to die on the cross. Admire Him as He conquers all the powers of hell. See Him risen, crowned, glorified! Bow before Him as Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God, for only then will your love to Him be as it should.
Question: How has God revealed His beauty in your life lately? How can you make a point to share this with others?
