There before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. Revelation 4:2
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion return to Oz with the broomstick that empowered the Wicked Witch of the West. The Wizard had promised, in return for the broomstick, that he would give the four their deepest desires: a ride home for Dorothy, a brain for the Scarecrow, a heart for the Tin Man, and courage for the Cowardly Lion. But the Wizard stalls and tells them to come back the next day.
While they plead with the Wizard, Dorothy’s dog Toto pulls back the curtain, behind which the Wizard spoke, to reveal that the Wizard isn’t a wizard at all, he’s just a fearful, fidgety man from Nebraska.
It’s said that the author, L. Frank Baum, had a serious problem with God, so he wanted to send the message that only we have the power to solve our problems.
In contrast, the apostle John pulls back the veil to reveal the truly Wonderful One behind the “curtain.” Words fail John (note the repeated use of the preposition like in the passage), but the point is well made: God is seated on His throne, surrounded by a sea of glass (Revelation 4:2, 6). Despite the troubles that plague us here on earth (chs. 2–3), God isn’t pacing the floor and biting His nails. He’s actively at work for our good, so we can experience His peace.
What do you fear today? How does it help you to know that God controls the troubles that surround you? How can you better trust and surrender to Him?
I’m grateful, God, that I can count on You to walk with me through everything. Thank You for Your peace.
INSIGHT
In Revelation 4:8–11, the elders, angels, and four living creatures remind us God is worthy of worship. “The Lord God Almighty” (v. 8) is a term that means “powerful and immovable.” Additionally, God’s eternality and authority are reflected in the reference to Him as the one “who was, and is, and is to come” (v. 8). This indicates that He’s sovereign over time—past, present, and future. The elders show their honor of God by laying down their crowns—their symbols of authority—before Him (v. 10). He’s worthy of the praise of His creation (v. 11).