A TASTE OF HEAVEN
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)
I love people-watching. Whether sitting at a table in the food court at the mall and watching shoppers hustle by or floating in the neighborhood pool as a spectator of a nautical volleyball game, I like to imagine the lives of people I don’t know. My favorite place to observe people is at concerts: their outfits, the excitement in their conversations, and the time they spend scrolling on their phones until the concert starts. Recently, I went to see one of my favorite Christian artists. Soon after the music began, I could sense the Holy Spirit settle in the massive auditorium. Postures shifted, hands raised, tears fell. Thousands of people lifted their voices in unified worship. All the differences that we carried into that space didn’t matter. In that moment, I thought, this is a glimpse of what heaven is like.
The Bible is clear that we are to exalt the name of Jesus corporately. In this way, we are experiencing a taste of eternal worship. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (Colossians 3:16 NIV). Did you notice there’s no mention of ethnicities, yearly incomes or political affiliations? The things that tend to divide us fall away when we focus our attention on the One who is worthy of everything we have to give. He desires to dwell among us while we are here on earth- another glimpse of what heaven is like!
APPLICATION: Spend some intentional time today to worship. Whether through a song, a prayer or an act of kindness, invite the Lord to dwell with you.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are so good to us! Despite our sins and differences, we are unified through the love of Christ. Cultivate a heart of worship in me and help me to see people as You see them. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?