A Holy Roar
Phil Wickham’s beautiful song “Hymn of Heaven” has been on repeat for me over the course of the last few months. Each time I listen and sing along, there is one phrase that literally causes me to want to grab someone by the shirt and demand they sing along…
“And on that day, we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice, a thousand generations
Sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”
“Forever He shall reign”
So let it be today we shout the hymn of Heaven
With angels and the saints, WE RAISE A MIGHTY ROAR
Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave
Holy, holy is the Lord.”
Why that part? Why get so excited over “We raise a mighty roar?”
I got my answer. I sensed God whispering to me, “Don’t Wait.” Why delay such a holy roar! Yes, it will be loud and magnificent with all the declaring voices, the roar of thousands upon thousands standing—worshipping before the throne of God.
“Don’t Wait!”
The context of the song is when we get to heaven (OH, come quickly Lord Jesus!) Those who know me, know I’m all about CONTEXT. But who am I to argue with God over context. God wants to speak to our NOW!
“Don’t Wait!”
God is saying don’t wait until we are in heaven to join the mighty—the holy roar of worship. Worship isn’t just a church gathering (although that’s part of it) or singing shoulder to shoulder (so intimate). Worship is honoring God enough to live our love for HIM out loud. It’s not only holding a hymnal, belting out heartfelt words, or on your knees in surrender. It is a lifestyle of God honoring. In song. In speech. In behavior.
I love the Latin two-word phrase, “Coram Deo.” Coram means in the presence of, and Deo—God. Living coram Deo is being aware that I live in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.*
Can we imagine what it would be like? Really like! If every morning, we would completely position ourselves to face God. Like Daniel did daily, he purposed to face Jerusalem when he prayed (Daniel 6). That we face God with both our feet and our face. How often have we been walking in one direction but we’re off looking (distracted) in another. Feet and face.
The world is dying, literally dying to see, hear and experience God. If we, the redeemed and lovers of God were to learn to truly walk in the Spirit—as He leads our speech, choices, and behavior. THEN. He is seen. He is heard. He is experienced. We become the mighty-holy roar. Bring on the flash mob!
Imagine with me: You’re standing next to God in heaven, leaning and watching. It’s dark below. It’s as if you see porch lights coming on. A light here, there—over there. Some in clusters, some individually. All over the city, all over the world. Those lights are beautiful. They stand out so brightly against the darkness. Those lights are roaring. There is love and a ton of joy, peace, patience, sweet acts of kindness, goodness, faithfulness, surprising gentleness and some much needed self-control peppered across the landscape. “Against such things, there is no law” (Galatians 5:22,23).
There is enough bad in the world, so much sinful nature running amuck, BUT (the above) the fruit—the evidence of God’s Spirit! He is seen. He is heard. He is experienced. May we ROAR in our worship to God, honoring Him, by yielding to Him, living our love for HIM—out loud.
“We raise a mighty roar!”
Above is an excerpt (more to come) from my teaching on the Fruit of the Spirit at a recent women’s retreat. It was my honor to be with the great group of women from Riverside Community Church, in Rainier, Oregon. If you’re in their area, stop in and worship with them. You’ll be blessed.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).
*More on Coram Deo https://www.gotquestions.org/coram-Deo.html
Worship along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_baJyIQp_w
Inspired Fountain 