The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever – Revelation 4:10-11

So, you made it to 2023. Bless the name of the Lord for crossing over the threshold into his new year. He has a plan and purpose for your life—to prosper you and not to harm you, a plan to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He is faithful and will do it. However, there is something we have to learn. 

God is on His royal throne in heaven, receiving worship from the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures. Observe this through the eyes of the apostle John in his Revelation on the Island of Patmos (Revelation 4:1-11). Learn how worthy God is of all worship because He is the Creator, Giver, and Sustainer of all life. You will see the beauty and magnificence of His throne and the humility of His worshippers.

That is what all His redeemed must learn this year—to worship God in the beauty of His holiness. However, we cannot do that when we have occupied His seat of authority in our lives. God cannot roll out His plan to prosper and bless us with the future He has for us unless you give Him His place—our hearts.

The worshipping elders in heaven adorn pure white robes and sit on thrones, wearing crowns of gold (4:4). However, whenever the four living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to God on His throne (9), they get off their seats and prostrate in worship. God is uniquely worthy of all worship!

The royal positions of the twenty-four elders do not stop them from prostrating before the only Sovereign King and Ruler. Likewise, we must prostrate before Him in worship. The heavenly beings prostrate without hesitation. They have positions and authority. God has decorated them with brilliance and crowned them with gold. Yet, none of those matters. They cast them before the Sovereign King in worship because He deserves everything they have.

O, that our knees would bend before God! We are nothing before the King of Glory. It is helpful to acknowledge our pitiful situation and yield it all to Him—to loosen ourselves before the Eternal King in worship. We touch His heart in that manner, and that releases His blessings to flow toward us.

King David worshipped Him in this way with his uncontrolled dance when he brought the Ark of His Presence to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:14). Michal despised his humility before God in the eyes of the maidens of Jerusalem (16, 20). However, David didn’t mind because he had a heart after God—the object of His worship.  

“Yes, and I will look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” (2 Sam. 6:21-22).

That is the key to worship, and that will get you off His seat in absolute surrender to receive His blessings. 

Happy New Year, everybody!