Tag: Proverbs 25:6-7
Worship beyond the door!
Scripture reading for December 5th: Revelation 4, Psalm 92, Proverbs 25
Revelation 4: 8-11 “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him Who is seated on the throne, Who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him Who is seated on the throne and worship Him Who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.
After John’s encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the prison island of Patmos, he looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. He heard a Voice speaking to him, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Revelation 4:1) John was invited by Jesus to enter the throne room of heaven. There, he observed the One seated and twenty-four elders who were also seated on thrones, dressed in white with crowns of gold on their heads. He also saw four other ‘living creatures’ around the throne with various animal features and one the face of a man. John observed these creatures at worship, day and night, without ceasing. Their cry was “Holy, Holy, Holy” and they gave honor and thanks to the One on the throne. In response, the twenty-four elders cast their crowns before the throne and fell down in worship of God as Creator and ‘Most High’ Ruler of the universe.
Psalm 92:1-2 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Lord, to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night, . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this amazing Revelation of Jesus Christ through John the Apostle. The unseen world is real, while this earth is temporary. Thank You for Your invitation to John and to all believers in Jesus to ‘Come up here!’ I join now those around Your throne worshiping You! You are worthy, O Lord My God, to receive glory and honor! You created all things! I declare Your love and grace.
Proverbs 25:6-7 “Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.”
Beware of worldly ambition and pride!
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 20:25-28 “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Some of the first disciples had a desire for a position of glory in Christ’s kingdom. They were thinking in worldly terms that position means power. They wanted to be in charge and have control. However, Jesus explained that greatness had a real cost–drinking from the cup that He would drink from! This cup meant enduring suffering and eventual death for God’s purposes to be fulfilled.
Those who aspired to greatness were not condemned but admonished concerning the cost! Jesus set an example for His followers then and now. He was a servant-leader who set an example of serving. He ultimately laid down His life for His own followers that they might have what they needed for eternal life. Followers must also have a servant’s heart and be willing to sacrifice even their own lives for the cause of the kingdom of heaven. The proud in heart will never be exalted!
Observation for over-comers: It is not wrong to strive to be great in God’s kingdom but we must also count the cost and be wary of pride! Jesus is our example of real greatness–He alone sits on the throne of God! “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.” (Proverbs 25:6-7)