Tears filled my eyes as we sang. “You are lifted high, holy, holy forever…”

 A thousand generations falling down in worship
To sing the song of ages to the Lamb
And all who’ve gone before us and all who will believe
Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

Your name is the highest
Your name is the greatest
Your name stands above them all
All thrones and dominions
All powers and positions
Your name stands above them all

And the angels cry holy
All creation cries holy
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever

Encompassing Praise

I joined in praise as our church community sang, and I heard a deep resonance in the music. It enveloped me from within the church and beyond. My spirit expanded as I felt surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1).

What will it be like to sing “Holy, holy, holy” with millions of believers from all ages, races, languages, and centuries as we give glory to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ? Some, including my parents and other loved ones, are already praising Him in glory.

My tears came from feeling God’s power and glory, reflected in our unified praise.

The next verse of the song tells what Jesus did for us.

If you’ve been forgiven and if you’ve been redeemed
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
We’ll sing the song forever and amen

What a reason to praise Him. Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus conquered death.

Jesus’ Holiness Captured John

The apostle John’ spoke of his vision of Jesus:

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead; but he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! Though I am the First and Last, the Living One who died, who is now alive forevermore, who has the keys of hell and death—don’t be afraid!” Revelation 1:17 (TLB)

Christ promised eternal life to his followers. But not just eternal life in the by and by. We are forgiven, accepted in the beloved, freed from guilt and shame and sin. We can walk in freedom because He died in our place. https://www.gotquestions.org/redemption.html

There is grief all around us. This week, Hurricane Helene has taken the lives of about 200 people, homes, and property in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia. Towns have been decimated. We mourn these losses with those who have suffered directly.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

We need to help in whatever ways we can. Our lives are not just about the here and now, but about eternity. When the storms of life rock our foundations, God is there. I’ve experienced it. Sometimes we struggle to believe when life is shaky and frightening and uncertain; but if we look to Him, He will guide us through.

https://www.carolloewen.com/the-blessing-2/

And although the storms come into each of our lives, one day Jesus’ followers will worship in joy, adoration, and peace. No more sickness, or crying, or sorrow, or death. We will praise Him in song, in word, in deed as we fall before the One who took the penalty for our sin and redeemed us, made us free.

He is holy!