12/13/2020
Are there things we do that bring joy to God and the heavenly host? Before you think that there is nothing, and that no one like you could possibly cause celebration in heaven, think about what occurs when a soul is saved... even yours. The moment you repented of your sins and accepted Jesus as the Son of God, and your savior, there is incredible joy in heaven. You are worth that much.
“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.””
Luke 15:10 ESV
Even God himself finds reason to rejoice over us and to be happy. We feel incredible joy at the moment we first believe, but we are not alone. When we say YES to Jesus, and accept Him as our redeemer, a joy fills us that is so intense that it is almost indescribable; we want to jump, run, shout, and sing as we announce to the world that we have been redeemed, and as we worship God, but we are not celebrating alone... God and all of heaven are there with us, and feeling the same exhilaration that we do.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
I have talked to many Christians and sinners alike, who don’t believe they are worthy of God’s love and mercy, but how could that be true? God created us in His image, loves us so much that He sent His Son to suffer and die for us; thus saving us on Calvary. He calls us to come to Him while we are still sinners, and waits patiently for our affirmative response.
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 ESV
There are so many ways that God demonstrates His love for us, and His desire to be in relationship with us... does this sound like a God who views us as unworthy? If so then He has paid a great deal for men and women who are nothing more than trash in His eyes! No, God finds us worth the effort He expends on you and me... we are truly worthy in His eyes, and should feel worthy, and loved, when He calls out to us. He even tries to explain this to us in scripture...
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:6-7 ESV
So on earth we celebrate great people, and moments of incredible significance with parades, special events, and days of celebration, and in heaven the same occurs. God is worshipped and praised continuously, and Jesus is celebrated as well, but to show you how valuable you are there you only have to look back at the moment when Jesus was born…
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
Luke 2:9-14 ESV
This was the heavenly celebration of not only the birth of Jesus in human form, but of your eminent redemption. This was the moment that the worthiness of your soul, mine, and countless others, became evident!! Do you doubt that God finds value in you? Do you see yourself as worthless given the price that was paid for you? Even if you are yet a sinner God is calling your name and introducing you to the gospel of Jesus; not because you are worthless, but because He finds you worthy of His love.
Are you ready to see yourself as God sees you, and accept that if He finds you worthy, then you are worthy indeed? Are you ready to throw off your feelings of shame and hopelessness, and by repentance give all of heaven reason to rejoice?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for creating us in your image, and loving us even when we appear to be unworthy, and unlovable to ourselves. Thank you Lord for sending your Son Jesus Christ to not only redeem us, but to show us the great worth you have placed on our souls. Help us Father to see ourselves as you see us, and find reason to hope in your forgiveness, and trust in living eternally with you. Forgive us our sins Merciful Father, and help us to understand that when you find something so, it is unequivocally so... even our worthiness that we have felt was lacking for so long. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us and has found great joy in our redemption from sin. Praised be your name for sending your Son Jesus to save us from our sins, and demonstrate the value you place on us. We call you worthy Father, and find it incredible that you look upon us in our sad state as worthy in any way... yet by your love and grace you do. Wash us clean of all sin with the blood of your Son Jesus, judge us worthy to be your children, and seat us at your table to dine with you forevermore, announcing us righteous and holy in your sight. Find pleasure and joy in us as we love you, praise you, and celebrate our redemption and newly realized worthiness with your heavenly host. See us Father, just as all of heaven sees Jesus... worthy of your love.
Rich Forbes