8 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.

12 And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

16 Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

— 2 Samuel 7:8, 12-13, 16

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

— Romans 12:1

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Love and grace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus to you.

In Revelation 5 John’s vision of the heavenly throne room continues. At first, it seems as though no one proves worthy to open the scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. John’s profound sadness erupts into joyous celebration as God’s slain but victorious Lamb—the Lion of Judah and the Root of David—proves His worthiness. Because of who He is and the victory already won, He alone is able to open the scroll and carry out God’s plan of redemption. The Lord Jesus Christ possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. He is the promised One holding the rightful claim to David’s throne for eternity. He is worthy our escalating worship.

Worship expresses the deepest desire of the human heart. When we realize who Jesus is and what He has done, the only right response is humility, surrender and worship. We became aware that God has brought us into a new family and called us to serve Him and others, which is, in a sense, our ultimate expression of worship. He alone is worthy. Our proper upstanding of Jesus stops us from demanding anything and leaves us ready to yield to Him and give Him glory. The highest position we can attain in this life and in eternity is to bow before Jesus the Lamb and the King. Hallelujah!