Heartfelt Worship

 By Boyd Bailey
The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever.Revelation 4:10
 
I could see love in their faces. Some leathery and wrinkled from the toils and trials of life, others youthful: smooth cheeked and white toothed — both beaming with the joy of Jesus captured on their countenance. My fifth trip to India in ten years felt like my first. Why? I’m not sure, but it was something in the heart of the people: pure, fresh and faith filled. Their unintelligible Hindi prayers and praise escorted my soul into the presence of our Savior. The Holy Spirit, like a knife through hot butter, cut to the very depths of my being. I wept in the presence of great lovers of God.
 
The twenty-four elders represent the church and all believers who lift their heartfelt worship to the Lord God Almighty. All followers of Jesus will be rewarded or not at the Judgement Seat of Christ (Romans 14:8-10). The crowns cast before the throne in honor of God are the rewards received by the righteous, only to be offered back in humble adoration and honor of the King of Heaven. Heartfelt worship keeps the glory of God, not the works of man, the center of attention.
 
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high…‘There is no one holy like the Lord’” (1 Samuel 2:1-2).
 
Magnify the Lord in worship, rejoice in and praise His holy name in song. God has done extraordinary things for you, in you and through you. He created you in His image and He saved you to grow into the image of His son Jesus. As you fear and adore Him—He pours out His abundant grace and mercy on you. A life compelled by willful worship is captured by Christ. Yes, your praise models gratitude to God for the next generation to mightily rejoice in Jesus Christ!
 
Like the mighty Mississippi River, thankfulness fills to overflowing the soul that sings out to its Savior. As we adore the Lord for His loving presence—He awards us the gift of security. We worship the Holy One in the rarified air of His righteousness, while His Spirit bestows holiness into our hearts. Our heartfelt praise guarantees generational engagement with God. We are secure aliens—but the Holy Spirit’s influence is without borders. Like John, we are instruments of Christ’s work in and through us.
 
“I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever” (Psalm 45:17).