Worship Quote
April 01, 2009
I am also knocking out a lot of reading while I am in the UK toward my next two classes in June. I have nine books to read by June 1, so I am using all my free time toward achieving that goal. In one of the books, Worship in the Presence of God (not a book I would recommend for your reading enjoyment), I did run across this wonderful thought about worship that is particularly pertinent in my life right now. I could not wait to share it with you:
The
twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and
worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before
the throne . . . (Revelation 4:10).
In acceptable worship all those 'crowns' are handed over, indeed immediately returned to God upon receipt, unequivocally and without holding anything back. Nebuchadnezzar is a prime example. When his kingdom in all its 'golden' glory is restored to him, he for all practical purposes hands it right back to God (Daniel 4:34-37). He confesses God's sovereignty and does not ask, 'Why?' He submits to His dominion and does not chafe under it, nor seek to escape it. No wonder that he concludes with worship.
In fact, when God removes anything from any believer at any time, from the simplest and minutest to the biggest and most precious item, projected event or even person, he simply says, 'Thank You' for the 'crown' that has been presented to him in the first place. To be content (Philippians 4:11), yes to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) indeed to rejoice (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16) in God's 'Thank you's' is the only evidence that a truly acceptable worship has taken place. Any other response does and will fall short of it.
In acceptable worship all those 'crowns' are handed over, indeed immediately returned to God upon receipt, unequivocally and without holding anything back. Nebuchadnezzar is a prime example. When his kingdom in all its 'golden' glory is restored to him, he for all practical purposes hands it right back to God (Daniel 4:34-37). He confesses God's sovereignty and does not ask, 'Why?' He submits to His dominion and does not chafe under it, nor seek to escape it. No wonder that he concludes with worship.
In fact, when God removes anything from any believer at any time, from the simplest and minutest to the biggest and most precious item, projected event or even person, he simply says, 'Thank You' for the 'crown' that has been presented to him in the first place. To be content (Philippians 4:11), yes to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) indeed to rejoice (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16) in God's 'Thank you's' is the only evidence that a truly acceptable worship has taken place. Any other response does and will fall short of it.
Pretty good stuff, would you say?
Great stuff, Dr. Stanko! I've experienced that sometimes the best blessings are disguised so well that only a thankful heart can appreciate them. What a neat nugget to know. Thanks!
Posted by: Ladies By Design | April 02, 2009 at 08:20 AM