Reverence and awe

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Read: Revelation 4 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’’ Revelation 4:8

As we journey towards Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and all that means for the world, it is also a time when we remember the One who sent Him. Revelation 4 reminds us that we should praise God for His wonderful works and the way He sustains everything He made. He is to be praised for the marvellous world He created and for the life He gives us—especially our new life given through faith in Jesus.

This chapter is full of beautiful imagery of powerful acts of glorifying God. Our brother in Christ, John, paints for us a picture of a heavenly act of worship with mystical creatures, images of precious jewels, and a beautiful rainbow that shines like an emerald.

It is all about the authority and worship of our Father God. Worship is such a powerful way to surrender our lives to Father, Son and Holy Spirit; it allows us to glorify and speak Their holy authority over all the earth. So as we approach celebrating that day, the day that changed the whole world forever, let’s do so with an expectant sense of reverence and awe.

Re-read Revelation 4:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you as you read and then listen to it. 

• Think about how understanding this chapter can help you sing ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come’, in your heart this Advent.

• Does it leave you with a sense of the Greatness of God, a deeper desire to worship Him, in and through Jesus, in every season? Finally listen/read the chapter again, see which word or phrase draws your attention, write it down and carry it with you. Maybe write an advent prayer around it.

The Revd Michelle Delves, Associate Mission Priest, Holy Trinity & St Bartholomew’s, Colne.