SCRIPTURE: Revelation 7:9-10
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
For some reason, we have come to associate worship purely with just singing. In fact, there is a way of singing that we call worship – slow songs. No wonder, it is not uncommon to hear the leader, after singing fast songs, say something like, ‘Now as we come to a time of worship…” Although singing is part of worship, it is not the whole part, let alone slow songs only. Worship is more than that. My working definition is that worship is a response from the heart to who God, expressed externally. In fact, the term worship is derived from two words worth ship. It connotes a display of the worth of God. No wonder the Psalmist would say, “Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness.” (Psalm 29:1-2). To ascribe something to someone is to attribute it by verbally acknowledging that it rightfully belongs to Him. Worship is a hearty display of God’s worth.
When we consider the passage before us, we meet, before the throne room of God, a multitude without number. This is also a mixed multitude – from every nation, tribes, people, and languages. Whereas worship is an individual response, it must also translate into a corporate response. If our worship is to mirror that which will be eternally, then we must prize the corporate gathering of the saints. Believers gathering week after week is an act of worship in itself. Also, we cannot afford to be tribalistic or racist in any way since before the throne of God and the Lamb are all different kinds of people. If our national and cultural differences won’t matter then, they shouldn’t matter now.
The gathered saints in heaven ascribe to salvation to the God who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb. That is where true worship begins – from a heart that has been set free from sin. One who is not saved, cannot truly worship for they cannot ascribe salvation to God. Those who have been saved, ought always to have a reason to worship. As our hearts magnify the God of our salvation, our lips and indeed our entire beings express that – that is worship. And as we are reminded:
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” Psalm 107:2
REFLECTION:
1. What has been your ubderstanding of worship?
2. How will you order your worship differently based on today’s devotion?
