Have you ever been nervous because you were near a celebrity?
At age 10, I met my childhood sports hero (Joe Montana). Later, I was eating burgers in a restaurant with friends when comedian Jay Leno walked behind my chair and said, “Excuse me.” I was blown away by the humility of Francis Chan when I hosted an event with him 12 years ago.
But, as much as being near these people made me nervous, my response to them stopped at respect and appreciation. I knew they were human. I didn’t bow before them.
My experience with those people was nothing like Isaiah experienced when he had a vision of God’s throne. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah described his awe-filled experience. “It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!’”
Experiencing the glory of God is far more significant than meeting a celebrity. When we even see a hint of the majesty and power of God, our response is worship and surrender.
In their new song, Gateway Worship & Josh Baldwin gives words to this kind of worship and surrender. “Crowns Down” is a powerful worship anthem meditating on the glory of God.
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The chorus includes the following declarations:
“And I will lay my crowns down at Your feet
You are holy, holy
And I will give my life as an offering
You are worthy, so worthy”
The imagery of crowns down comes from the fourth chapter of Revelation. There, we read about a scene the Apostle John witnessed in his vision. “The twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 'You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.'”
The bridge of the song reminds us that when we sing “Holy Holy Holy,” we are joining in an everlasting song - a song currently being sung in the throne-room of God. Have you ever considered words you sing in a worship service or your car while listening to Air1 are also being sung before the throne of God? That idea blows my mind!
You may be thinking, “Who am I to be a part of that big and eternal?" That very thought leaves me feeling like Isaiah felt when he saw the Lord in Isaiah 6. “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
If you feel unworthy to be in God’s presence or sing the same words that are being sung in God's presence, consider what happened next in Isaiah 6. Isaiah's lips were cleansed by a coal from the altar before the throne. The angel who carried the coal declared that his guilt was removed and his guilt forgiven.
Now, because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can experience the removal of our guilt before God and the forgiveness of our sins. God is worthy of our praise. He declares us worthy of His love.
When I expand my view of God and gain a greater comprehension of his glory and power, I feel something reset inside me. Understanding more about who He is helps me to gain a better understanding of who I am. My insecurity lessens when I see the One who is my source of security.
If you feel overwhelmed, insecure, anxious, or unworthy, it might be time to listen to “Crowns Down” and reflect on the wonder of the God who made you, loves you, and gave everything so you could eternally be where He is. He is worth surrendering all we have. He is worthy of all our worship!
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps you laugh, challenges you to think, and invites you to grow. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and watches lots of football with his wife and three kids. You can learn more about Scott’s new free resource, The Gratitude Muscle Challenge, at scottsavagelive.com.
