Many Crowns

“Behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne [who] had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. ⁴ Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire… and… there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal…

“Day and night they never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!..’ They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’” Revelation 4:2-6,8,10-11

Each new day, we awaken into a sanctuary, where our Savior King reigns and bids us offer our bodies a living sacrifice in holy service. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus the Risen Lamb is Lord, and in humble adoration, we who know Him will lay crowns we’ve received at His nail-pierced feet. (Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 3:10-14; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 3:11)

“Crown Him with many crowns,
  The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns
  All music but its own!
  Awake, my soul, and sing
  Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
  Through all eternity.

Every day He reigns. Will I greet Him with praise?

Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified;
no angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends their burning eye
at mysteries so bright.

Every day He reigns. Will I adorn Him with thanksgiving for all He has done for me?

Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

Every day He reigns. With each breath, all vitality, and whole heart will I live for His glory?

Crown Him the Lord of peace,
  Whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
  And all be prayer and praise.
  His reign shall know no end,
  And round His pierced feet
Fair flowers of glory now extend
  Their fragrance ever sweet.

Every day He reigns. How are my interactions with others displaying His peace in my soul?

Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)

Every day He reigns. With what trust for the past, and hope for the future, will I exalt Him as sovereign Redeemer?

What crowns will we offer today? Words that magnify Him in all His worth and glory? Actions of excellence, grace, and generosity that make a difference for others, for eternity? Love lavished without thought for self?

Lord God, I crown You as the only true Victor, and hail You as my matchless King this day and forever.