Holy Splendor

1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 23-30
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
    Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
    Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name;
    rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength;
    continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed,
    his miracles, and the rulings he has given.
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
    Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
    Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    He is to be feared above all gods.
The gods of other nations are mere idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens!
Honor and majesty surround him;
    strength and joy fill his dwelling.
O nations of the world, recognize the Lord,
    recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
    Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
    The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

Lord Jesus, Man of Sorrows, we bow before you this day.  We praise you and we thank you for your scandalous grace, your steadfast love, your astounding power.  What a gift it is, to be your people, to be loved and forgiven, even while we were still in our sinning state.  Wholly wondrous.

Your power is absolute.  Your throne is supreme.  Your rule is everlasting.  No one can snatch us out of your hand.  Hallowed be your name.  May your kingdom come quickly.  Light of the World, may your will be done here on earth as it is done in heaven.  For you are awesome and majestic, glorious and transcendent, holy and good.  You are the embodiment, the very incarnation, of all that is El Elyon. 

And the cross.  That horrible cross.  How can we ever, ever doubt your love for us?  You suffered so much.  The very hands that beat you, were hands that you formed in their mother’s womb.  You knew what they would do to you.  The voices that jeered at you, were voices that you breathed life into.  You knew what words they would scream at you. 
 
You were in the world, and though the world was made through you, the world did not recognize you.  You came to that which was your own, to your very own people, but your own utterly rejected you.  Yet to all who did receive you, to those who believed in your name, you gave the right to become children of God.  We stand.  In awe. Of you.  Lamb of God, hallowed be your name.  Oh how we love you.

^{Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.}