Worthy is the Lamb

I have been privileged to be in places where God's power has been manifest more than a few times. When someone tries to confine those manifestations to certain parameters it usually results in limiting what God can do in that setting. All too often God is put in a box with four walls, a roof and a steeple. It is the same thing the Jews of old did when they confined God to the temple.

Solomon asked in his prayer in Second Chronicles, "The heaven of heavens could not contain Him, much less a house I have built." But the splendor of the temple got to them. Somehow they allowed it to overshadow the power of God. The temple became the end, not the one it was built to honor.

I have seen times God's presence has been manifest in a place. One Sunday in late 1995 the Expressive Worship team at the church we were attending did a number using the song, "This Kingdom" by Hillsong United. It begins, "Jesus, God's righteousness revealed. The Son of Man, the Son of God, His kingdom comes." It ends with the lines, "Jesus, God's righteousness revealed." That song set the stage for what was to follow.

Many of in the congregation were hearing this song for the first time. As the group finished and left to go to the basement to change clothes the music and vocal teams took over with another song to Him, "Worthy is the Lamb."

As the congregation started into the second verse people started falling on their faces before God. It was nothing orchestrated or directed by the leader but personal responses to God's presence. It was there, it was real, and it was wonderful. People just started dropping to their knees. It began in the congregation and spread. A few came to the altar but most just knelt where they were. In a couple minutes there were few who were not kneeling, most were on their face before God. Most were crying and some were just quietly praising God. It was not because someone else was doing it, it seemed to be the only valid posture for that time.

By now the Expressive Worship team had removed their costumes and they were returning from the basement. They had no idea what happened. Most of them felt His presence and joined the congregation kneeling. This scene played out for nearly a half hour. The song was played and sung over and over. "I bow down and worship, the Lamb upon the throne; For I desire, O Lord, to be called your own..."

This was the call that many there answered that day with their actions and changes in their lives. It is not the only way to worship. But on that day it was the right way to honor Him.

I have seen like occurrences with different manifestations in other settings but that morning was something I will remember because people responded to God in a special way. And He was faithful.