March 4: Above The Chaos
Scripture
Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit[b] of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
-Revelation 4:1-8
When we read the book of Revelation, it is easy to get bogged down trying to decode all the wild imagery. We want to analyze the sea of glass, the creatures covered in eyes, and the emerald rainbow. But Revelation 4 isn’t a theological puzzle to be solved; it is a breathtaking picture to be taken in. Through John, we are given a glimpse into what is happening in the heavenly realm right now.
Take a moment and just think about what John saw when God opened the heavens to him. Imagine the flashes of lightning, the rumble of thunder, the brilliant colors, and the unceasing worship. Day and night, the living creatures cry out, “Holy, holy, holy.” This is a picture of absolute, unfiltered majesty. It reminds us that God is not a slightly bigger version of us. He is utterly awe-inspiring, ruling from a throne that is never shaken by the chaos of our world.
When life gets heavy, we easily forget this reality. Down here, things often feel broken, out of control, and desperately unpredictable. But John’s vision reminds us that above the chaos, there is a throne, and someone is sitting on it. The universe is not spinning out of control. The same God who is surrounded by endless worship and radiant glory is the One who holds your life, your family, and your future securely in His hands.
But here is the most staggering truth of all: this awesome, majestic God desires to know us in a personal way. He did not remain isolated in that place of perfect, untouchable glory. Because of His great love, Jesus stepped out of the throne room and into our sinful, broken world. The One who receives the unceasing praise of heaven chose to come down to us, so that we could one day be lifted up to Him. That is a truth worth stopping everything to worship Him for today.
Reflection
1. How does picturing God ruling from His majestic throne change the way you view your current earthly struggles?
2. When was the last time you paused simply to “take in” the awe and majesty of God, without asking Him for anything?
3. What does it mean to you today that the God of the universe stepped out of glory to reach you?
Prayer
Praise God for His incredible power, majesty, and holiness. Thank Jesus for being willing to step out of the glory of heaven to enter our broken world. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a fresh sense of awe today, and to help you remember just how deeply He loves you.