Tag: Worship

Morning Musings: Revelation 4:9-11

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“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.'”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

This, as with much of the book, is a somewhat bewildering picture.  John describes a scene that is hard to imagine (which probably just means it was equally hard to describe).  He describes creatures that would be terrifying to behold.  It is a picture of God in His throne room, seated on His throne.  It is a picture of Him being worshiped by the heavenly host.  It is a picture of continual worship of the God who is on His throne. Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Malachi 1:8

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“When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil?  And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Malachi was the last prophet of the people of Israel until John the Baptist arrived on the scene to introduce people to Jesus some 400 years later.  In other words, he was the last word the people had from God for 400 years.  Ancient though he may be, his words could have been written yesterday they are so relevant to issues we are still facing today. Read the rest…

Morning Musing: Psalm 135:15-18

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“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.  They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.  Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

In the ancient world, idols were obvious.  Someone who worshipped an idol would often literally bow down before a statue.  He would make sacrifices before a big hunk of carved rock or wood or shaped metal.  They were things made by human hands.  Today…not so much.  But, just because idolatry is more difficult to spot doesn’t meant the reality of it is any different. Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Isaiah 44:18-20

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“They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.  No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, ‘Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten.  And shall I make the rest of it an abomination?  Shall I fall down before a block of wood?’  He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, ‘Is there not a lie in my right hand?'”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

This and the few verses on either side of it is one of my favorite passages in the whole Old Testament.  It ranks up there for me as one of the best in the Bible.  That may not be a very spiritual answer to the question of what this preacher’s favorite verse is, but read it again for yourself.  It’s hilarious.  No other passage in the Bible captures the sheer idiocy of idolatry quite so well as this one does.  And it does it with a sarcastic sense of humor that resonates really well with my own. Read the rest…