Who is worthy?

It is hard to look around at the things going on across the earth and not have at least a slight sense of foreboding.

And perhaps this is a good thing…

What?

Why would the train wreck that is about to unfold (or is already unfolding) before the nations be a good thing?

What we see is evidence of man’s great need and of man’s great failure. And thus the darkness makes the light appear that much brighter.

When man is proud all the Lord has to do is take his restraining hand off just a little and all of a sudden the darkness floods out into the open. That is why when you see violence in the streets you can be sure the violence was in the heart first. It isn’t new. It didn’t just develop. It was always there and at times restrained. It is open rebellion against the Creator of all who has commanded not to kill, steal, lie, or covet. And we each see a glimpse of this sinful nature in our own hearts each day.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

So again we can ask how is there anything redeemable about all the bad things we see?

Who is worthy?

Is it man or woman? Is it Republican or Democrat? Is it city dweller or rural dweller? Is it mask wearer or non-mask wearer? Is it prepper or non-prepper? Is it educated or uneducated? Is it rich or poor? Is it any particular race? Is it any particular country? Is it the sick or the healthy? Is it the self-righteous?

…Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 
Revelation 5:2-4

And yet, there is one who is worthy. And thus the glory of Him who is worthy is magnified in comparison to the backdrop of all the unworthiness we see in ourselves and the world around us.

The Lord Jesus is worthy. He is good. He is just. He is true. The Lord God reigns in heaven and earth and you can be sure nothing happens on earth that He does not have control over. Remember Job in the scriptures? Satan couldn’t touch him without getting God’s permission. Remember Esther? God was glorified in delivering the Jews from what seemed like almost certain (and legally decreed) annihilation. Remember Daniel? He ended up in the lion’s den and the Lord showed that He is able to deliver. Remember Elijah who was confronted with hundreds of false prophets? And the Lord prevailed. Do you see the pattern? God wins and He does it in a way that glorifies Himself.

Can we find an instance in the scriptures where following the Lord and enduring trials and afflictions was easy? Was Noah’s life easy? How about all those killed for their faith from the time of Christ to the present? Was Paul’s life free from hardship? And if we are honest with ourselves, though the Lord grants many wonderful blessings to each of us, the battle with the world, the flesh, and the devil isn’t easy.

Thus, that sense of foreboding you have is showing you something. For the Christian it is time to be reminded to be heavenly minded. For those that are still dead in trespasses and sins it is time to wake up and seek reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ (and Him alone) before it is too late. All that is about to unfold before us should remind us of how it all started back in the garden of Eden.

My dear friend, I’m reminding myself of all this and you just happen to be listening in. I am weak and need to be reminded of these things.

Do we really remember and realize that all pain, suffering, death, and disease are the result of man’s fall? Do we realize what the Lord Jesus did on behalf for those He came to save? Do we appreciate the words the Lord spoke on the cross when he said, “It is finished.”

The thin veneer we call civilization often lulls us into a false sense of security. If we are honest with ourselves we get too comfortable here sometimes. That comfort makes us wander spiritually. We begin to forget that every breath and every provision are a gift from God. We forget that we are supposed to be serving him wherever we are and not just going through the daily routine. If the King’s service requires I suffer then should not my heart rejoice that I get to serve the king? Oh, that my mind and heart would grasp these things.

The sense of foreboding should also remind us of how it will all end. True, we don’t know what will happen between now and then. But if you are a follower of Christ you know that He knows… and that should be enough. And if Christian history tells us anything, it should show us that God gave great grace in times of trouble… but there were also great times of trouble for the Lord’s people.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3

So at a time when darkness seems to be falling across the land you can be sure the light is blazing where the Lord Jesus is ruling over all. We must look with the eyes of faith and see the light beyond the darkness, “looking unto Jesus.”

Who is worthy?

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain…
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne… And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Portions of Revelation 5:6-12

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