WORSHIP SONG ONE
Revelation 1:5b-7
Revelation 1:5b-7To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be.
Amen.
February 13th
See the bottom of this post for how to use this daily devotional
PRAY
READ ALOUD Revelation 1:5b-7
REFLECT
The ever-quotable Mark Twain is reported to have said: “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” Whether or not Twain said this, it does give a lot to think about. Each of us is here for a reason. God created and redeemed us for a great, eternal purpose.
Our grand and glorious purpose is revealed in John’s song of worship. Here we learn that through His death, Jesus Christ “made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father”. In these words John is drawing on ancient words from Exodus 19:6 where God promises His people: “you shall be for me a priestly kingdom.” Note the change in verb tense because it is important. What God once promised His ancient people as future (“you shall be for me a priestly kingdom”) is now fulfilled (“made us to be a kingdom, priests serving…”). Through Christ’s blood we are a kingdom of priests! Right now!
Here is the Biblical teaching of the “priesthood of every believer”. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we are granted full and free access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16). As priests we are God’s go-betweens, His intermediaries, His ambassadors representing God to the world and the world to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). As members of God’s royal priesthood we are to witness the love and grace of God to the world, and to witness the needs and troubles of the world to God.
As Emperor Nero was persecuting Christians, the apostle Peter wrote to churches reminding them:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Mark Twain was right! The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why. John’s worship song can help us find out the ‘why’. Each of us is a member of God’s royal priesthood, representing God to those around us, and representing those around us to Him! We are here on God’s business!
READ ALOUD Revelation 1:5b-7
WORSHIP
HOW TO USE THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
This daily Lenten devotional takes up eight songs of worship from The Revelation. It is significant that this is the only book in the Bible promising a blessing on those who read it, specifically: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy” (Revelation 1:3 NRSV). Each section of this devotional presents a song for your audible reading, reflection and worship. Each day you will:
- PRAY asking God to bless this time you devote to Him
- READ ALOUD the worship song and text for the day
- REFLECT on the daily reading
- READ ALOUD again the worship song and text for the day
- WORSHIP God each day in a way that is meaningful for you. The way in which you worship might vary day to day. Depending on the day, you might choose to talk with God about what you are thinking and feeling about the song, or meditate on the worship song, or intercede for others, or sing, or be silent before God. Ask God to guide you.
We pray that God use these worship songs of The Revelation to reveal His glory to you and bless you as you center your life in Him.
