His Unending Glory...

Over the past few days I've been frequently praying a prayer that goes something like this: "Lord, help me to worship You simply for WHO You are rather than primarily on the basis of what You do for me." It's been burning in me since the sermon I heard last Sunday while I was visiting Forerunner Christian Fellowship in Kansas City. Stephen Venable preached on the worth of Christ to receive incessant worship for all eternity.

The quote that inspired this prayer in my heart and has kept me wrestling with my own selfishness and lack of revelation of His worth is this: "The Seraphim and the larger angelic host who are enraptured with ministry to Him have never had a single sin forgiven, never an ailment healed, and never a financial need met and yet their testimony is that His unending glory warrants their unending praise."

Venable was referencing Revelation 4:8 "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'" and Isaiah 6:1-3 "...I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"

I don't know about you, but my heart is prone to being fickle... worship and thanksgiving to God often flow more readily when life is going well and I am keenly aware of the benefits God offers. During times when things just don't seem to be going smoothly; when life is hard and the fire of testing feels too hot, I'm usually less likely to offer up prayers of thanksgiving to God. Selfish? In my case, the answer is too often "Yes!" I need a deep revelation within my being of the magnificent greatness, holiness, power, glory, and love of God that I couldn't help but adore Him through every high and low. Help me, Holy Spirit!

Here are links if you're interested in watching, hearing, or reading this sermon from April 25th.