Text: Revelation 4:1-11
But what if I don’t want to sing forever?
That was my selfish thought as a new believer whenever I’d get adventurous enough to peek into the book of Revelation. The thought of worshipping forever from my human standpoint conjured up images of aching feet, hymns I’d certainly forget the words to, and the feeling that surely I was missing something more fun.
As time has passed my heart has shifted, and the only thing I really know about heaven and eternity is that I know nothing about heaven and eternity. I can’t imagine it, and if I could, I don’t think it what I could imagine would be all that fantastic. If humans can describe, prescribe, dictate or anticipate it – it surely can’t be God-sized.
And yet, Revelation gives us this glimpse. A sea of glass, winged creatures. White garments and elders. And all day and night, they’re falling before the throne crying – “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev 4:8 ESV). They cast their crowns down and say, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Rev 4:11 ESV).
When it comes to eternity, when it comes to our ultimate fresh start – I can’t help but think we’re always asking the wrong questions. Where will we stay? Will we still be married? Will our knees hurt from constantly bowing? Will we be bored? Will we remember? Will we miss coffee? Will there be coffee?
When I read Revelation chapter four slowly, I’m sure of it – we’re asking all the wrong questions. And maybe, at least for me, I’m living with the wrong end in sight. Do I believe in a God this Holy? Do I talk to a God THIS Holy? Do I trust in a Redeemer who is worthy of my praise forever?
Father, you know we can’t live in Revelation 4. Not today, at least. But you can make Revelation 4 mean something in our hearts today – You can help us turn our eyes towards You. You can help us ask the right questions and stop asking the wrong ones. We may not want to worship forever, but we sure want to want to worship forever. Open the eyes of our heart. In Jesus’ name.
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62 thoughts on "holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty"
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My soul yearns, even faints, to be in the courts of the Lord – my flesh and my heart cry out for the Living God! Psa 84:2.
I crave heaven – I crave heaven on earth. I crave to walk in the Garden with Jesus in the cool of the day. I crave a new earth, one without the damage we have done – without the carnage of Cain – without the temptation of Sodom and Gomorrah. I long to live the life that the Lord intended us to live – in the World He intended us to live in. Oh how I long for that day…..
I will worship You Lord, in this feeble body now – in my new body then. In the courts of Your Presence or in the Garden of New Earth – I will worship You – for You ARE Holy, Holy, Holy…..You ARE the Lord God Almighty. You ARE the One is, the One who was, and the One who is to come. And Lord, I look forward to the day, I will be in Your Presence, living the life your originally created for me to live.
I felt the same way. It’ was hard to wrap my head around praising God forever. I thought how can you praise God forever? But then I thought: yes He is my everything. Without God, there is nothing and if I have to choose between praising the One who gives us all forever or having nothing, I choose kneeling forever for God!
Amen.
"We may not want to worship forever, but we sure want
to want to worship forever. " Amen! My prayer exactly. I hear people talk about heaven and how much they look forward to going. I find it hard to anticipate it. I can't imagine it. it's hard to look forward to something you have no inkling of what it might be like, to want to be there. At least for me it is. there are times I do because I am just tired of being in this world, living this life, but to anticipate heaven itself? that is so hard for me. Am I alone here?
No, not alone. I think as we grow more in the likeness of Christ this anticipation grows because we are being transformed into His likeness, and the Holy Spirit continues to reveal the things that we don't yet understand.
It’s so easy to have selfish thoughts as we read passages like that because our very nature is very self-centered. It makes me thankful that I am a new creation in Him! Yes, my flesh may object to spending all day, every day, for all of eternity, but that’s only because my very human mind and body can’t comprehend it. Any sort of fear or anxiety that comes from thinking about heaven is a lie from the pits of hell. What I know is this: I am certain that I want to (and will! Praise God!) spend all of eternity with my Savior. What we do once I’m there doesn’t matter as long as I’m with Him!
As I read this today, completely agreeing with her words, I couldn’t help but think, “Yes, we are living with the wrong end in sight.” With all that is going on around us, work schedules, children, crises, death, illness- heck, even the good stuff- vacations, children, bliss, and harmony…All too often we live with the “wrong end in sight.” Maybe, with no end in sight. Just going about our days giving no thought to the Great End. My prayer after reading this was simply, take my eyes off the things of this world, however good and pure they may seem. Help me to seek you and only see You! Nothing in this life will satisfy as He does. Not my Husband, not my religion, and not even my kids. Even things that seek to destroy and harm my witness, the evils that lurk and the ones that I let sink their teeth into me; those things should not cloud my vision to see Him through it all!
Whatever we may be going through or even enjoying this day … don’t forget to see Him!
Amen.
What a great perspective! I know that I definitely fall into that category, of asking the wrong things at times. How incredibly different would it be if our eyes were constantly opened to greatness of our Lord, our focus on worshipping him eternally?… This is a great challenge to meditate on today.
Can't tell you all how ready I am for Heaven.
Who else is there, whether there's coffee or pets, etc means nothing to me
To be home with my Father, to sit at His feet and be in constant worship….oh I await the day with great anticipation!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus, I pray.
This is not to say that I have a death wish…I have a fantastic life…beautiful family, inspired church, great career…only that I know He has so much more in store for me – us- when this life passes away.
Serve Him with all you are, all you have! Your reward will be great!
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Awesome words of encouragement Kim!
I can't help but just sit in the awe of who God is– and how much I can't fathom who He is, today. God is so much bigger than anything we could ever think about Him or any opinion we have about anything concerning Him, and that fills me with joy, peace, and eager anticipation.
When I think of heaven, I have many mixed thoughts and emotions, but what always concludes any debate or thought process is Christ's voice, gently speaking to me, "I'm there." There's a song I love, one that always makes me emotional, called Afterlife by Arcade Fire. It makes me emotional because, outside of God, the questions it asks, "Can we, just work it out? When love is gone, where does it go? Where do we go?" are unanswerable and bound to bring a person sorrow; when asking myself these questions in times of grief or loss, Christ quickly comes to answer me: "I'VE worked it out, my love. Love is me, and it's always IN me. Any love you've lost was NEVER lost, because you have ME! You come to ME. That's what makes it all worth it, perfect."
Honestly, in the end I don't care about how heaven looks, or what will happen to me, or if I'll be there before or after the tribulation. In the end, I'll be the closest to Christ I've ever been, unhindered by any flesh or work of the devil. I'll be a child cuddling with their parent, closely and in perfect peace, praising Him because I am so in love and full of love for Him. This devo has totally changed the way I think about God– that I praise a God THIS Holy and trust a God this SOVEREIGN. Father, help me to grasp the Love you have for me, and to keep the truth of your complete Holiness before me in all thoughts, motives and actions.
"…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!'" (Rev 4:8b
If this God of ours is the only one worthy to receive ceaseless praise (v11), why am I not doing it more *now*? Our purpose is the same here on earth as in heaven – to give glory to the only One worthy of it, our Creator. I may only see dimly, sing off-key, and totally miss the point now, but the job is the same. On the other side maybe we'll have the tools to do it a bit better.
Feeling grateful this morning and a little like Isaiah (Is 6:5), very glad that the Holy God of the universe does not give me what I deserve when I step into his presence.
Thinking about Heaven overwhelms me sometimes because it is unfathomable in my mind. I know other believers who are so excited and eager and say 'Come now Lord Jesus,' but I have not experienced that myself. I trust God and believe in an eternal life with Him (such a peace that brings!), but when I begin to overthink it I can get (I hate to say it but I want to be honest) a little stressed out. Today's reading and devotional helped me to know that I don't have to have all of the answers. It also helped to remind me of just how holy God is, and that we are so blessed to be able to come to Him in prayer and worship at any time. I am confident that as I dig deeper in my relationship with Him, through prayer, the study of scripture, serving, and fellowship, I will begin to see new stepping stones on the path ahead. In the meantime, I will just grab hold of His hand and trust that He will lead me to the right places. Have a lovely day sisters!
I feel ya! I often try to imagine heaven and get stressed out and anxious. Then I tell myself what was talked about today…I don’t know what it will be like! I’m just trusting God that it will be good. I’ve been praying that God will shape my heart so I am looking forward to it more, that it will be on my heart and I can live looking towards his kingdom more. I hope the same for you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insight! I will too pray for that :)
I am teaching Heaven for Kids, by Randy Alcorn to kids at my church. We understand so little about heaven, yet really we are told so much! It is like a puzzle that has to be fitted together. If you look closely at Revelation 4 it is the twenty four elders and the creatures who are constantly crying out Holy, Holy, Holy. I am not saying that we won't, but in that context it is not us. I am not trying to start a theological debate. I am hust saying that i think we have lots of misconceptions about heaven and honestly, that is the work of the enemy. Alcorn has an "adult" version of the book as well. It has made me (for the first time) excited about heaven and realizing that satan has been working in my mind against that….has been enlightening. According to Alcorn, we will work, rest, play, eat, rule and reign on the New Earth, as well as worship. We will live with God as He intended it for Adam and Eve — face to face! Personally, i cant wait to learn more and i am looking forward to that day like never before!
To further what you are saying:
Revelation 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lambbe praise and honor and glory and power,for ever and ever!”
Revelation 7:9-12
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:“Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:“Amen!Praise and gloryand wisdom and thanks and honorand power and strengthbe to our God for ever and ever.Amen!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lambbe praise and honor and glory and power,for ever and ever!”
I'm gonna put that book on my "Must Read" list! Thanks for sharing :-)
I guess the one thing the Word promises us is a New Body so we won't have to worry about getting tired or our knees hurting from bowing too long! LOL!
Of course I am like everyone else, I have had these thoughts from a child…and I have listened to My Three Sons since they were children express these same thoughts…"What in the world will we DO all day in heaven?"
Or as one of them put, "But FOREVER is a really, really long time, Mom, what if I get bored?"
I agree with everyone else, we cannot fathom what the Lord has prepared for us, we have to trust Him…it is beyond our comprehension! I want to go there! I want to be with the One who gave His life for me!
If it is beautiful here, if there is some happiness here, imagine what He has been doing all of this time…He said "I go to PREPARE a place for you…"
Wow…
I think that if heaven was a place that we could go and visit, like The Grand Canyon, or London, not only would the waiting list be immense, but this is what I think would happen. People would go, just to check it out, but they would decide to stay. And would never return to earth.
So, if we'd like to go see the Grand Canyon ( one of Gods works of art) why are we not so anxious to se the ultimate work of his creation…and the creator himself? … If he was human, we'd want to meet him… Hmmmmm……
God, I want to long for You and your presence like I long to see the world…,,only much, much more.
Before I even read Jessi's devo. After reading today's verses, I was convicted that I have a lot to learn about worshipping God. And I confess having had thoughts of how can standing around singing holy, holy FOREVER not grow stale. As God refines me, the thought of this is not so awful, (I don't have a joyful noise voice) and I rest in the fact that I really have no idea what heaven is really like, but I will be there because of Christ sacrifice and my new body will be 100%. I think we'll all just get it at that point.
All I need to know for now is that "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God to receive glory and honor and power…" and by knowing this DO THIS.
Better is one day in his courts than thousands elsewhere. And yet, I so often get caught up in my own world and how important my life is – and how I haven't accomplished enough here to die yet. And yet, I fully believe that all of the things I keep track of here will be of no consequence once I'm in heaven. I'll finally be giving God the full praise that he is worthy of, without a thought about myself or anything else. I'll be so captivated by Him once in His presence.
Praying I'll learn to live more in His presence here on earth — and that I'll "want to want to worship forever", recognizing that forever has already started.
So beautifully put .. thank you for sharing :-)
Aren’t we always asking to wrong questions? It’s so easy for me as a middle class American(and who attend a Christian College) to remember that the bubble I often time confined myself to isn’t the best there is.
Also made me think of this song…
http://youtu.be/RSPwjMv_-5k
Thanks for today’s word. I love waking early to praise our Father. I do not fully understand but pray He continues to remind me to praise Him ♡♡♡
Like many of you, I too am afraid of the unknown. I wonder like many of you, if I will recognize the ones I love who have gone to be with the Father already. My focus and priorities are so finite. He is worthy of my praise and so much more and I am thankful for this reminder today to remind me of where my focus should be.
Finding this blog, these women, these sisters in Christ who take seriously their calling… I can only say that this was ordained. Daily I feel he call to deepen my study and, in turn, my faith. Today is no exception.
I once heard a message that we want to get to heaven after we do ____. We feel like the things we’d miss here are more important or more satisfying than being with God in eternity. If we only knew and/or believed how heaven will be so much moreagnificent than we can imagine, we would want to go right away. This brings me much hope and anticipation, and it makes me realize how much I want those I love to be there with me! I must live every day in light of eternity, and share Christ with others so we can all be there!
Have you ever been to "Creation"? Well it's been a few years for me. But when I would come home from that festival, I would experience such a let down. While there we would worship with 10s of thousands of other believers and what a marvelous experience. I anticipate that and so much more, in the presence of our Holy God. Come quickly to gather us, Lord.
I recently went to a Hillsong concert (this past Sunday) and I know exactly what your'e talking about! Awesome experience, but Heaven is gonna be so much better! :-)
I know it wasn’t the main point of the devotion, but what grabbed me most was how small my earthly eyes are. “If humans can describe, prescribe, dictate or anticipate it – it surely can’t be God -sized.” His love for us is bigger than we can imagine. His hatred of sin. His grace. His mercy. And heaven. Wow.
It is so true that when it comes to our thoughts on heaven, we are so confused! Our priorities are all out of wack. I remember as a child, accepting Christ to be my Savior because I was afraid of the fiery place called "Hell," lol. I now see that as silly, but the truth is many Christians are doing the same. We want heaven for what it can do for us (no pain, mansions, etc.), and that's great, but I want to get to the point of desiring, yearning, and needing to be in Heaven in order to give my Savior, My KIng, My Redeemer worship with ALL of His angels. I want the desire to finally see His face, and not his hand and all that it can provide. I am grateful for this word today :-)
Praying for you sisters! <3
I love that you mentioned that a lot of Christians believe in heaven only to avoid hell for selfish reasons. "We want heaven for what it can do for us." That is so true. How once again our sinful selves display themselves even when talking about a sinless place, sitting at God's feet! A lot of us can only think of what it will do for us. However, like you said, I long to DESIRE to be at God's feet, not for my own gain but to thank him unendingly for all he has done in this world and my life. Thank you for sharing your wise words!
"How once again our sinful selves display themselves even when talking about a sinless place, sitting at God's feet!" –yess!! Thank you for sharing that as well .. praying that we all can change our desires and make them fully centered on Christ :-) <3
"I want the desire to finally see His face, and not his hand and all that it can provide." So true. It's so easy to rattle off a laundry list of things I "need" from God. I catch myself ALL THE TIME praying "please, Lord, be with me…" when I know He is, always, no matter what, through anything and everything, whether I ask Him to or not. That's just how awesome He is. I want to automatically pray that I will follow the Lord, searching more closely to see His face here on earth and not, as you said, for His hand to provide for me on this earth.
Lauren, that is my biggest struggle! "God I need this, I need that, I want this, I want that …" yet I really had to think about when was the last time I asked God for Himself. God I need you! That's the prayer I need to be praying otherwise I'm just as lost as someone who hasn't given their life to Christ. I love the fat that you mention, "I want to automatically pray that I will follow the Lord" … Automatically! I'm with you on that. I don't want to just pray about it because I know it's the right thing to pray for, but because I truly have that desire! Thanks for sharing hun :-)
Thank you for being so honest and open! I think many of us (I know myself) are sometimes overwhelmed by the idea of Heaven. I know that I want to go there and I am so excited that one day I will get the chance and then at the same time I'm a little terrified of the unknown. Heaven is just too big to understand in our minds and I think God intended that. We truly have to rely on faith! We have to trust that if God says its great then it will be. More than that we have to trust that He is worth it even if our knees do get tired from kneeling at His feet all of eternity…He is so worth it! Our souls will be overjoyed to do just that and our knees will have to deal.
O wow, another Brandi! When I first saw your post, I was confused bc I knew I hadn't posted anything yet this morning! Lol. I'll sign my posts brandiG, from now on so I won't get confused. Lol. Love your post!
I think there's a song about how everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go now. That is so true and it's probably because of the unknown. Revelation is confusing and full of imagery and visualizations but not clear. However, when we do get there, I feel like we will all want nothing more than to constantly worship and be in awe in the presence of God. That's all that will matter because that's all that ever mattered.
Have a great day, ladies!
Well said Lindsey. It is so hard to remember that when I am living in the here and now. I know it'll be beyond words and I believe we will praise and glorify Him because we will finally get it, that that is all that truly matters.
I do not know that I completely understand how heaven will be but I do know that one day I want to be apart if it. I want to be where there is no pain and suffering. I want to be where there is only happiness and joy. I am not ready yet but I am glad that one day there will be a wonderful place waiting on me. God is wonderful and I want to be apart of his heavenly home one day so that I can praise him.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev 4:8 ESV). They cast their crowns down and say, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Rev 4:11 ESV)…….
I can only say….. AMEN to that… that's it….AMEN.
Big love, sister's. X
Amen!!!
Here is the link: http://youtu.be/q6sr4XAulz4.
Thank you for sharing, Teresa. I watched the film of Nate. I will be praying for your family. What a sweet, precious boy. I am so sorry for all of your loss. Your daughter's words are so poignant and filled with God's wisdom.
Thank you Amy! She always blows me away with her wisdom and how she mentors to so many women, and even more so after this.
To see our little but of Heaven. Go to YouTube. Search Jessica Coffelt and page down till you find the video Remembering Nate. Continue to pray for his mommy and daddy who are a pastor couple in the US.
Will be praying for your family! Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thank you BrandiG
Praying for your family!
Thank you Geri
There are times, usually when I am home alone and I am worshipping through music or reciting scripture and I get so overwhelmed by the Presence of God that all I can think about is being in Heaven and worshipping and praising and glorifying God there! Not that I don’t do that here, but I am visualizing it more and more as a reality.
A year ago our sweet beautiful happy and healthy 8 month old grandson woke up one morning in the arms of Jesus. SIDS. We grieved, but we also had peace knowing where he was. We focused a LOT on Heaven and what it would be like there and how we would see our little one again. We almost got consumed in our grief thinking about it and waiting to get to Heaven to see him. Our dear daughter in law, his mommy, said it best one day in her blog, “we miss him, our hearts ache, we cry and we look forward to seeing him, but when we get to Heaven, it’s not going to be about seeing Nate, it’s going to be about Jesus, it’s going to be about worshipping our Lord and Saviour, being in the Presence of the Most High”.
So true! All things or people from here won’t mean the same as they do now. Our focus will be on God. Just as in the here and now we need to make HIM our focus, and live for Him, follow Him. Those whose hope is in The Lord will renew their strength and shall rise up with wings as eagles.
Holy, Holy, Holy, is The Lord God Almighty!
What a wise, spiritual woman your son married. Blessings to your family, and thank you for sharing.
Thank you drasch! I prayed for our son's wife even before she was born. (She is 4 yrs younger than him) and God blessed him AND us with her. She is a great balance for him and they make an awesome team as they minister together. Since their son"s death, God has worked through them as they have counselled even more couples whose marriages God has healed and put back together.
I just viewed your YouTube post… I could just feel the love you all have for Nate. He's safe with Jesus in the most beautiful place imaginable. Thank you for sharing him with us. I will be thinking of you and your family today in prayer.
Thanks Barb
Teresa, thinking and praying for your family…..with love and hugs for all….
Nate, a very special baby, very loved, and for now, very safe in the Lord's keeping….
God be with your family…
Xxx
Thank you Tina
Yes, yes, yes. I too have had these thoughts (also about the coffee!) and in my hearts of hearts I truly want to WANT to worship forever and I believe God sees that. So perfectly said. Lord, help me to trust in you, that Heaven will be beyond our earthly comprehension. I know that you see my heart, and that it is yours forever. Amen.