‘You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created’”

‘You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created’”

The word “worthy” carries the idea of weight, value, worth. Besides, the word also carries the ideas of befitting, becoming, right on the ground of fitness. God deserves our praise. He carries the highest degree of merit or worth. No one compares to Him. He meets all our expectations.

The elders ascribe three affirmations to God: glory, honor, and power. Glory is the manifestation of His essence and actions. Honor is reverence for what we see in God. Power is God’s ability to execute His plans.

Note that the elders do not say that they give God glory, honor, and power. The creature cannot give the Creator anything. They do say that God is worthy to receive these things.

The elders give three reasons for their praise. First, God is the Creator and First Cause of everything. God never began; no one created Him. He is the source of everything.

Secondly, God preserves everything — “by Your will they exist.” God sustains everything in the universe. All science and all creation depend on God upholding the universe He created.

Thirdly, God is the Final Foundation of everything — “and were created.” God created all things at His liking.

The word “created” is the act of founding. The New Testament uses this word always of an act of God (Mark 13:19; Romans 1:25; 1 Corinthians 11:9; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:3; Revelation 4:11, 10:6). Because God is the creator of everything, He is Lord of all. He is sovereign over history. Persecuted Christians can take consolation in that. Creation existed in God’s mind before He created the universe. The elders worship the Creator, whose will and purpose bring all things into existence.

Since God is the Creator of the universe, He possesses prerogatives of sovereignty. We need to recognize God’s superintendence over the universe and that He is absolutely supreme over the universe.

Principle:

Worship of God pivots around His eternal person and work. God receives all the glory because He does the work.

Application:

Christians disregard true worship today. True worship prostrates oneself before the worth of God. When we recognize God’s worth, we truly worship.

God’s goal for each believer is to manifest the person and work of God to creation. We can see God’s sovereign movement in history, present time, and the future in Revelation. One day the entire world will acknowledge God’s glory.

Do you give God thanks for His sovereign working in your life?