Then I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and his image and the number of his name. They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps given to them by God. They sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and astounding are your deeds, Lord God, the All-Powerful! Just and true are your ways, King over the nations! Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name, because you alone are holy? All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:2-4
New English Translation
It’s pretty cool to see in Revelation 15 that the very people who overcame the beast praised God. They’d been through it. They’d taken on the challenge and come out victorious over the enemy; yet, rather than giving themselves the glory, they give God the glory!
When things are going well as Christians, it can be very tempting to take the credit and look at what we perceive we’ve done. However, even if we were the ones to physically carry it out, we have to realize that God is the real power behind all great things. Without Him, even our best efforts are worthless. That’s why it’s so important that we have right perspective when we think on the amazing things that have happened.
If we give ourselves credit for what God has done, then we can easily fall into pride. Rather than spending time adoring God, we’ll start adoring ourselves and giving ourselves pats on the back. At that point, every amazing thing God did in our life has been undone as we’ve let our own self-glorification distract us from realizing the truly wonderful part of what occurred: God.
See, when the people who had overcome the beast sang their song of praise to God, their song was entirely focused on God. It wasn’t about how great the things were that happened to them. It wasn’t about how they’d come out the other side feeling stronger. Instead, their song continually returned their focus to adoring God.
How often do you adore God? I know I don’t do it nearly as much as I should. Often, I get caught up in looking at all the grand things God has placed in my life instead of looking at the amazing God I serve. Though it is good and right to be grateful for what He’s done for us, we must be careful that we not fall into pride or into wrongly desiring things over desiring God.
Right perspective is what takes us from praising ourselves and things to praising God. When we recognize that every good thing is just another arrow pointing toward God, then we’re able to accomplish great things and still keep our eyes fully fixed on God.
Here’s my challenge for you: take some time and truly examine your perspective on life. What do you tend toward? Do you usually give yourself glory? Focus too much on things? Or give God His due praise? Be honest and open with yourself. There is no time like the present to shift perspectives and give God your full attention.