REFERENCE & DEFERENCE - PART 4

THURSDAY 10 JULY 2025

The Bible reveals that God, as a King and creator of heaven and earth, is surrounded by heavenly hosts, who stand around His throne to worship Him, honour Him, praise and adore Him, and also execute His commands. As heirs of the Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ, we are to function in this same manner here on earth. Let's find out more!

Reference: Hebrews 12:28 English Standard Version (ESV)

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."

It is to be noted that the author of the book of Hebrews speaks here after the manner of kings and priests, and in his exhortatory address, he used the phrase "let us" which expresses a plurality of persons. "Let us" is a phrase that functions as a first-person plural imperative, suggesting an action that the speaker and the listener should do together. That means, the author referred to himself and all of us who have been born again.

For this reason, it reads, "Therefore, since we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful..." Got it?  The author is simply espousing Kingdom mentality. Its a spiritual Kingdom with endless existence; hence it cannot be shaken.  So we should never find the embodiment of our thought pattern fall short of Kingdom frame of mind, plus the inclusion of such practical operations in all circumstances.

The concrete essence of this truth is found in Revelation 1:6 (ESV) which says that Christ made us a Kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen. As royalties, we are kings and priests unto God in the Kingdom of light. On account of this viable awareness, we must be grateful and thankful, firstly, for the truth that God rescued us from the Kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ. And we are not just royalties on earth, simply functioning as God's representatives, we are also substantially clothed with superior authority to reign as powerfully-consolidated kings and priests in Christ's Kingdom. Notably, Christ is the monarchical parent of our reigning influence as we function in this world.

That being the case, we should learn and practice the attitude of gratitude, with acceptable reverence and deference based on godly fear. In line with this truth, Colossians 1:12-13 reads, "Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son" (NLT). Therefore, here on earth, the continuity of our thanksgiving and heartfelt offerings to God with reverence and awe, which are acceptable worship, is of paramount importance as we represent this Kingdom on earth, just as it is done in heaven.

According to the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:10 (NLT): "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." How is it done in heaven? Revelation 4:4 says, "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads. Verse 6: "And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back."

Verse 8-11: "And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! And whenever the living creatures give glory, honour, and thanks to the One seated on the throne who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased" (NLT).

Therefore beloved, let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence, deference and awe. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 14:6; Psalm 147:11; Jeremiah 33:9; 1 Peter 2:17.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your grace, faithfulness and mercy which endure forever. You are the source of all my goodness and euphoric heritage, and your sovereign power shatters to pieces, all the inferior powers of the enemy put together. In the portrayal of my reverence and deference towards you, I jubilantly lift my hands heavenward to honour your Majesty because of your truth and righteousness, which sustain and uphold my existence. I have raised an inward banner in my heart, and an outward depiction on a bare mountain top, to establish my continual worship, honour and adoration to your Holy name, in Jesus' Name, Amen!