The Call to Worship

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 whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11 ESV).

 

Heaven’s throne room is filled with sounds of praise and worship. The four living creatures give round-the-clock adoration to the One on the throne. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,” they proclaim. This is a picture of all creation honoring God as the Creator and Lord over all things—the only one worthy of all praise.

 

Creation’s song of praise—led by the four living creatures— serves as a call to worship for the twenty-four elders. God’s people cannot help responding in worship when surrounded by the authentic, enthusiastic praises of all the rest of creation.

 

All God’s people in his worldwide church—young and old, seekers and established followers—help each other celebrate and confess with praise. Together, we join with the rest of creation, saying, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they . . . have their being.”

 

This picture reminds us that just as creation constantly proclaims the glory of God (Psalm 19), so can all God’s people—in our work and play each day as well as when we gather for a worship service. All things give glory to God for bringing them into being, and he keeps all creation in his constant care. Our creating, life-sustaining God is worthy to receive our praise always.