Blessing God

Read: Revelation 5

Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever. Revelation 5:13

IN WORD

Why do created beings worship God? Not because He is so needy for affirmation that He surrounded Himself with sycophants. Not because His ego requires constant stroking. Not because it’s commanded and we therefore must comply. No, God receives worship because He is exceedingly worthy of it. He is beautiful and generous and a greater marvel than we’ve ever seen. Praise is the natural, spontaneous response to seeing who He really is. And around the throne, seeing is inescapable.

We don’t have that sort of vision every day. We need to remind ourselves of who God is and steep ourselves in His goodness. Like David, we sometimes need to command our own souls to bless God and remember His gifts and mercies (Psalm 103:1-5). Our worship isn’t nearly as spontaneous as that of the throngs surrounding the throne. We need to worship from a place of seeing dimly.

Believe it or not, that kind of worship is an enormous blessing to God. He values the praises of those who “see” Him without seeing, who offer up a sacrifice of praise from dark places and seemingly hopeless circumstances. A self-prompted, whispered word of worship from the darkness speaks as loudly to Him as shouts of glory in the light. He knows how effortlessly worship flows in His throne room. But those who sit in prisons, who press through deep wounds, and who rise above their suffering to honor His name are precious to His heart.

IN DEED

Vibrant worship is happening in the throne room right now. Even when we don’t have a clear vision of that scene, we can join the multitudes in praise. This is part of our created purpose. Expressions of gratitude and glory have a powerfully transforming effect on our own hearts, our outward circumstances, and our relationships. And they bless the God who created us to be—anywhere and at any time—worshipers at heart.

ADDITIONAL READING: Psalm 103:1-5

We must never rest until everything inside us worships God.

A. W. TOZER