Now Available on Kindle Living The Life!: Daily Reflections

On The Upper Room Discourse Re-Release For Lent 2024

Lent 2016 Devotional—February 26

WORSHIP SONG FOUR

Cover of Lent 2015 Devotional Book from Water from RockRevelation 7:9-17

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

February 26th

See the bottom of this post for how to use this daily devotional

PRAY

READ ALOUD Revelation 7:9-17

REFLECT

Stephen Covey, in his best selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says that highly effective people begin with the end in mind:

To Begin with the End in Mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.

Today’s worship song from The Revelation can help us to do just that by giving a clear understanding of the Christian’s destination. John tells of seeing a great multitude of God’s redeemed coming “from every nation, from all tribes and people and languages”. He places this countless, universal throng as “standing before the throne and before the Lamb”. New Testament scholar William Hendrickson explains that “to stand before the throne and the Lamb means to have fellowship with, to render service to, and to share in the honour of the Lamb.” (More Than Conquerors) This is the end God has in mind for His people. Christ promises that any who suffer with Him will also be glorified and reign with Him. God will make them “joint heirs” with King Jesus in His eternal kingdom (Romans 8:17).

This great host of people who share in the honor and victory of the Lamb are “robed in white, with palm branches in their hands”. As John writes, palm branches were symbols of victory and its joy (Leviticus 23:40-43; John 12:13, Matthew 21:8). White robes also symbolized victory; Roman generals wore white robes to celebrate a battle won. “It is in victory that the faithful finally arrive in the presence of God and the Lamb. They appear, not weary, battered and worn, but victorious.” (William Barclay, Revelation: Daily Study Bible)

John hears the myriads of myriads of victors crying out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” The Greek word soteria, translated “salvation”, denotes a “rescue” or “deliverance”. Scripture uses this word to describe God rescuing people from destruction. “This is not a deliverance which saves a man from trouble but one which brings him triumphantly through trouble. It does not make life easy, but it makes life great.” (Tom Constable, Revelation: Expository Notes)

Jesus never tells us that following Him will be easy, but He does assure us that it will be worth it! The little Lamb will bring us safely through to His eternity-long victory celebration. It’s good to always begin with this glorious end in view. “And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long/Steals on the ear the distant triumph song/And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia!” (From the hymn “For All the Saints”)

READ ALOUD Revelation 7:9-17

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.

recent posts

join our list

Sign up and receive our weekly devotionals, Selah podcast episodes, info on seasonal devotionals, and announcements.