S) "8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 But he *said to me, 'Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.'"
Revelation 22:8-9 (NASB)
O) John, by the end of the visions he had seen, must have been fairly overwhelmed. With all of the supernatural activities, the swing from plagues to promises, it's not really that hard to understand why he would have been tempted to worship at the feet of this angel. In fact, this wasn't even the first time he was tempted in this way (see Revelation 19:10). However, this angel was quick to rebuke John, reminding him to worship God alone. The angel also gives some definition to his role as an angel (that he is a fellow servant), and also some definition to what it means to be of the brethren (that we heed the words of God, and also that we serve one another).
A) First, this is a warning to me to not exalt fellow servants of God. I must be careful not to take an attitude of admiration beyond those bounds, where I may actually be closer to worshiping a fellow servant. Second, and equally important, is that I must never allow others to esteem me to such a degree, either, that it would become sin for them and me, both. The best way for me to really keep this kind of humility and right-minded view, is for me to be committed to worshiping God alone, and doing so often. That's the only safeguard against idolatry, and the only safeguard against pride.
P) Father, You alone are to be praised. I confess that I have wrongfully worshiped things and people. This can still be a temptation, still be a struggle for me, when I let my guard down. When I take my eyes off of You, I am woefully prone to exalting things in my heart that have no place there. But, I want to worship You alone. I want to redirect others, too. I don't just want to deflect compliments, but I want to reflect Your glory. Help me to be bold, and vocal, about praising You when others see anything good in me. Help me to plainly refer them to Your goodness, so that anything resembling admiration for me, might become worship of You. All of this to Your glory alone, Lord God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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