11/27/S – A New Song

OT: “God saw their actions — that they had turned from their evil ways  — so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it. Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. He prayed to the Lord, “Please, Lord, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster. And now, Lord, take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” The Lord asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?”” (Jonah‬ 3:10-‭4:4‬ ‭CSB)

When God first told Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah refused. He knew that if the Ninevites responded to his call to repent, God would have mercy on them… and Jonah didn’t think the people of Nineveh were worthy of saving.

When Jonah had no other choice but to go to Nineveh, he reluctantly went and preached the hell-fire and damnation message he thought the people of Nineveh deserved to hear. Upon hearing Jonah’s message, the Ninevites rapidly repented, and just as Jonah expected, God had mercy on them. God is righteous and just, but before He passes His judgement, He is first gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. Where Jonah was self-righteous and condemning, God is truly righteous and offers forgiveness to those who repent.

Jesus Christ didn’t just give His life for people we like. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slaughtered for all mankind. All are precious to Him and He will gladly offer remission from sin, righteousness, restoration and reconciliation to all and any who call on His name and place their faith in His life, death, resurrection and ascension.

NT: “When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:8-14‬ ‭CSB)

From the dawn of creation – ever since there were heavenly creatures to sing God’s praises – day and night, night and day, the lifted up the song, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty! Who was, and is, and is to come.” Suddenly, as Jesus Christ the Lamb took the scroll from the hand of God, a new song began reverberating through the halls of heaven. Thousands upon thousands – a countless number of angels – began singing a new song of praise to the victorious lamb. Since the day that Christ ascended victoriously in heaven that song has continued. Not only is that song a song of praise to The Lamb, it is also a declaration of the gospel of Christ. Christ, through His shed blood, has purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people and nation. He has made them a kingdom of priests that will reign on the earth. That is the song of heaven, and it should be the song of those on the earth who have been redeemed by Christ. And we should continue singing that song until there is a worshipping community of disciples in every tribe, language, people group and nation. All blessing and honor and lord and power be to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! Amen!

Psalms: “How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard onto his robes.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭133:1-2‬ ‭CSB)

When the people of God dwell together in unity, everyone dwelling in unity receives the blessing of anointing. The anointing of God flows from the top down. Those who are in Christ, submitted to Christ and submitted to one another in proper alignment will receive of Christ anointing… the anointing of a royal priesthood.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You have purchased me for God with Your blood – and through Your redeeming blood, you have made me one of you kingdom of priests that will reign with You for ever. Help me to ever keep that truth before my eyes and on my lips. And help me to remain in the flow of Your anointing as I remain in right relationship with you and Your redeemed people by faith.