They Are Worthy

After the disciples of the Lord were beaten by the religious rulers for speaking in Jesus’ name, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). These men who turned the world upside down with their eye-witness testimonies of Christ, had eyes and hearts so filled with His greatness, that suffering for Him was an honor. The Bible calls them heroes of the faith, “of whom the world was not worthy.”

But there is another camp who are worthy – not of glory, but of God’s wrath… “Being filled with all unrighteousness, immorality, malice, envy, murder… who knowing the judgment of God, that those who do such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in others that do them also” (Romans 1:29-32).  Upon these who rejoice in evil and violence, the Lord pours His wrath, “for they are worthy” (Revelation 16:6). Our world is ripe for God’s judgment.

God commanded the preachers of old to urgently warn the people to repent: “Lift your voice like a trumpet and show My people their sins!” John the Baptist called people to “flee the wrath to come,” even as he introduced Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ Here stood the Way of Escape, the Lover of souls, the Ransom who would die for sinners, redeeming us from sin’s guilt, power, and penalty.  What love!

Then God gave 2000 years of grace, so everyone could hear the invitation to Eternal Life. He made it available to everyone by a prayer of faith, so it would be universally fair for all. How Just He is!

One day soon, all who have received Christ by faith will stand before Him in glory, watching, while He opens the Judgment seals for earth. And they will proclaim… “You, O Lord, are worthy!”

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)