Praise

Praise

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!”

Revelation 7:9-10

My husband, Jim, is grateful for the opportunity to travel to various parts of the world on business. Over the years, he has taken our sons along on some of his trips to enjoy father-son bonding times. Recently he took our youngest son, Jordan, to New York City. After completing business on Friday afternoon, they stayed over for the weekend and did some sightseeing, including visits to a NY Mets game, Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty, and more. For Sunday worship, they chose to visit the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and here’s how Jim described the experience:

Thirty minutes before the service began, the Tabernacle filled with joyful people of many different nationalities—Chinese, African-Americans, Latinos, Greeks, and white Anglo Saxons, among others. Some looked wealthy, some looked impoverished, some looked healthy, and some looked disabled. They all looked like they were there to worship the Sovereign Lord.

As the worship progressed, I was struck by how this throng of people hints at what we will experience in heaven. There will be people there from every nation, but we will all be together worshipping the Lord and praising the name of Jesus Christ.

God doesn’t care about our ancestry, our nationality, our health, or our wealth. He has provided redemption for all who place their faith in Christ for salvation.

Lord,

We praise you that you have given your salvation to people from every part of the world. Thank you that you didn’t entrust it only to the wealthy, or the powerful, or to a certain race or nationality. Thank you that you have given it to all who place their faith in the completed work of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.