David Bahn - Reflections

Suffering will one day end. Worldly worries will cease. Troubles will be completely forgotten. Faith will become sight. Hopes will be realized. Temptation, trials, troubles, and tumult will all end. We must remember this and join in the hymns of praise to the One who will replace them with pure joy and true happiness, which will never end.

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The salvation that belongs to our God is his gift to all. But sadly not all want this gift. They want to live under the delusion that they can chart their own course. They don't want to be accountable. They do not want to admit they need a Savior. We can do nothing about that except continue to proclaim the truth of God's majestic might and his glorious grace. In the end his might will be fully realized by all, and his salvation will be enjoyed by all who believe.

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” That's a brutal lesson for atheists, but the joyful confession of we who believe!

The main focus of these hymns in Revelation points us to an eternity of praise to God. And in that space and place we will never grow weary of doing that. The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). There will be a new cause for praise to God each new morning in heaven. and our focus will be fixed on God.

The hymn, Behold a Host Arrayed in White expresses beautifully the joy of singing the praises of the One who is worthy of all blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might forever and ever! Amen!

When we see this picture of heaven in Revelation 7, with living creatures, elders, angels and multitudes of people falling down in worship of the Lamb, it makes an impression. Every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (cf. Philippians 2:10-11). And not only do they fall down in worship, they fall on their faces in worship. This is no half-hearted acknowledgement. This is from the core of their being honor being bestowed on our Lord.

Next time you gather with others in worship, think of this scene. And join with the heavenly host, the great and small, the famous and infamous in majestic humility, praising God. For he alone is worthy. And whether or not you are famous, your worship of him is a delight to me, your brothers and sisters in Christ, the whole host of heaven, and to God himself.

From skinned knees to cancer's cruel injury to the worst unimaginable injustice, God's mercy and grace overflows. He comforts us with his love. Whatever we must face we can know his goodness will prevail and we will be comforted because he is faithful. He is worthy of all honor and praise.

Sometimes we state the obvious and it seems completely unnecessary. It sure is hot. This is Monday. But in this case the obvious in heaven is spoken as a reminder to us on earth. These hymns give testimony to us who are yet on earth and who must live by faith, not by sight. Their hymns not only glorify God, they edify us. They not only flow from hearts overflowing with joy and grace. They encourage us to look forward to joining that hymn. And even if you don't think you can sing, it's an invitation you will certainly be blessed to accept.

These hymns from Revelation express something we do not yet see, but which we believe. For now Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, rules our hearts by grace through faith. We delight in him and look for his influence in our lives and the lives of our families and friends, our neighbors near and far.

Psalm 22:3 says that God is enthroned on the praises of Israel. So let us enthrone him now in our praises and worship. He is worthy. And we are all the better for his reign here and now, and for all eternity.

This vision enriches our appreciation for the blessing of prayer. Not only are we able to call on God with confidence and hope. Here we see that he keeps our prayers. Like a keepsake only more precious. Like a treasure only more highly prized than any treasure on earth. Our prayers are kept in golden bowls, and guarded by the elders in heaven.

I've not thought of my prayers in this manner before. I know I should pray. And I do. Earnestly: all of those prayers I mentioned above. And God not only listens to my prayers, answers them according to his goodness, wisdom, grace, and promises, he keeps them. They are a treasure to Him.

The Lamb who was slain has now begun his reign. Whatever shame and ignominy he suffered is now put to rest. His humiliation is now turned to glory. All the insults, the suffering, the derision, the dishonor is now replaced with praise. Those who know Jesus' steadfast and redemptive love, grace, truth, and mercy delight to see this scene. Whatever dishonor we must endure in his name will one day be fully redeemed. We will exalt in the exaltation of the Lamb who sits on the throne forever and ever! Amen.

Praise puts our problems in perspective. Praise puts us in our proper perspective toward God. That's good to remember, for hope in our trials and humility in our approach to God.