1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

2 You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.

6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.

17 I will commemorate Your name through all generations; therefore the nations will praise You forever and ever.

— Psalm 45:1-2, 6-7, 17

I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

— Romans 12:1

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.

17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

— 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and mercy to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus.

We see the 4 living creatures, 24 elders, myriads of angels praise the Lion-Lamb around God’s throne. And how often does praise for Jesus flow from us? Daily life may all too easily distract us from gazing at Jesus. Let’s ask the Lord to draw our hearts and minds back to the most important business of our life—thinking about Him and serving Him faithfully. Let’s take time to ponder who He is and what that means. Let’s meditate on specific truths about God’s beautiful character and the splendor of His multiplied perfections. Let’s read His Word to focus our hearts and fill our minds with the wonder of Jesus. Let’s regularly consider the gospel, the sacrifice of Christ, and all it means. Let’s pray the psalms to learn how to release the praise that wells up in us regardless of our circumstances. Let’s enjoy music that exalts God.

We are certain that we are the precious people whom Jesus purchased and set free from sin’s penalty and control. Christ’s sinless perfection, willing sacrifice, and glorious victory settle so many issues in life. The challenges of this life will pass, but the worthiness of Christ and worship due Him endure forever. The glorious portrait of this triumphant Lamb gives an anchored hope and confidence that the tribulations of life are light and momentary compared to the glory that will be revealed.