SOAP 09/10/2016; Revelation 15:3-4

Today's reading: Lamentations 3, 4, 5; Revelation 15

S) "³ And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

'Great and marvelous are Your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty;
Righteous and true are Your ways,
King of the nations!
⁴ 'Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy;
For all the nations will come and worship before You,
For Your righteous acts have been revealed.'"

Revelation 15:3-4 (NASB)

O) The singers in this passage are those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name. That is to say, they were victorious over that tribulation. The details of that victory aren't really given. We know that not taking the number of the beast would certainly make grocery shopping difficult (see Revelation 13:16-17), but that could be some measure of symbolism. It could be something like a boycott, a social ostracism like the Jews saw in Germany. It could be quite literal, too. In either case, without a doubt they overcame the same way that the devil was defeated, by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony (see Revelation 12:11). Exactly what they overcame, or even when this victory song is taken up, is not why I highlighted this passage, though. In chapters 5 and 14, there are myriads singing new songs to God. That term "new song" is also used once in Isaiah, and several times in Psalms. Contemporarily, I hear that phrase used a lot. It seems a very popular thing to do, lately, to encourage a "new song" to God. But in this passage, we see something quite different from that. These who were victorious, they sing "the song of the Lamb" which appears to be the rest of v.3, and the beginning of v.4, but they also sing "the song of Moses," which is the end of v.4, the last two lines. This brings to light an important lesson that shouldn't be lost. New is not always better. We serve the Ancient of Days, and He has never changed. He has never needed to become new. Our worship of God must be true, and if it includes a new song, that is just fine. If it includes a song that is three thousand years old, as long as it is true worship, then that is also perfectly good worship.

A) There are times when I become obsessed with new. Materialism and capitalism are built around the concept that new is better. But, even with less tangible things, I can sometimes get tricked into thinking that new is better. A new method of doing something, a new tradition, a new worship song. That's really where this verse hit me. Sometimes, new worship songs can feel fresh and exciting. The unfamiliar lyrics can help draw my focus to God, really paying attention to what I'm singing, since I can't recite the words by rote. The new music can be exciting. However, I don't want worship to be about me. Traditional songs, hymns, even a Psalm taken straight from the Bible, these should be given as much value as any new song, so long as the lyrics are true and I am singing them to God in truth. I don't want to become bored with worship, just because it's "old" to me. In reality, I need to keep myself humble, and remember that worship is not about my feelings. Feeling the emotional connection between me and God, while I worship Him, is always nice. However, worship is not about me. I must remain humble and committed, devoted in my singing, to worship and praise Him because of who He is, not because of how I feel about the song. He deserves more than my good feelings.

P) Father God, You are holy. You are mighty, sovereign, true, unchanging, full of lovingkindness, compassionate, patient, righteous, and perfect. Your judgments are final. Your wrath is unbearable. Your love is complete. Your wisdom is unsearchable. Your mercy is complete. You are eternal, ever-present, and all-powerful. You are personal. Who am I, that You would desire to relate to me? Who am I, that You would be pleased to know me? Thank You for the communion we have in Your Son. Thank You for the mercy I receive by the blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You for promises I have, for the blessing it is, for the love You have lavished on me, to call me Your child. You deserve all this worship and more. You deserve every part of my life devoted to You. Let my lips sing Your praises all the days of my life. Even to my very last breath, let me worship You in spirit and in truth. Father, I confess that my attitude in worship is not always what it should be. Too often, I get distracted by the music and the words, and thinking about the song for the sake of the song. I don't want that, Lord God. Help me to focus properly, to be mindful of why I worship. Help me to focus on who You are, what You've done, and who I am in Jesus Christ. Let me be intent with my thoughts, with my words, to focus on thanksgiving. I pray that You find a humble servant, when I worship You. Let me bow my heart before You, singing both new songs and old. Let my worship to You be found as a sweet aroma before You, a sweet gift from Your child. I pray that my worship is pleasing to You, whether it is traditional or contemporary, whether it is an old stand by or a new favorite. I just want my worship to be true and to please You. Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed. I love You, Father God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.