Most of my thoughts of heaven have been about me being in God’s presence. Sometimes I think of worshiping with the angels and twenty- four elders around the throne—I wonder if my body would stand under the weight of God’s glory or if my lips would be able to utter any words. I also imagine how happy I would be to hear God tell me, “Well done, faithful servant.” I would love that. Hearing God say I didn’t do what He asked me to do has always brought me to tears. I don’t want to hear that.
Revelation 7:9-10 shows the reality of God’s presence; “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” (v. 9 NLT). Oh, that is so much fun to imagine. The vast crowd shouts with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” (v. 10 NLT). They know all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and are grateful that through Jesus, they are redeemed to be in God’s presence (Romans 3:23, John 3:16). If you ever wonder why God deserves all the worship, one reason is that He lovingly holds our existence, redemption, and sustenance now and forever.
Imagining heaven is great, but we are still here on earth. How can we wholly lean into the reality of being in God’s presence here on earth? I want to worship God daily; imagine I am in His presence, here and now. God says in Jeremiah 23:24, “Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” (NLT). I can sing and dance to worship God and obey His words in my daily choices. I can always strive to love others as God loves them. I want to please God here.
For Reflection:
- How about you? Do you agree that God alone deserves your worship?
- How can you bring more worship of God into your daily life?
- Bring out the figures of sheep and shepherds and set them outside of the stable. Along with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds would be the first to glorify the Lord.
by Tolu Osemwegie
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