In Spirit and Truth

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” - John 4:24

Everyone has their favorite worship songs, right? They are songs that strike a particular "chord" in our hearts, and we can actually get quite emotional singing them.

There are the old standards like Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. But there are also newer songs that can hold a special meaning as well. Today's story is about one of those songs.

I was playing this song the other day on YouTube. The thing about YouTube is that once you click on one of their videos their algorithm pummels you with the same songs over and over again. That can get quite annoying. However, that is not true for this song that is currently stuck in my head, and in my heart - Is He Worthy? by Andrew Peterson.

The reason it has so much meaning to me, I believe, is because nearly all of its lyrics are scripture. The whole thing is pretty much Bible verses. The chorus for example:

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break, the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah, who conquered the grave

He is David's root and the Lamb

Who died to ransom the slave

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” - Revelation 4:11

"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”" - Revelation 5:2

"Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”" - Revelation 5:5

These things that John saw were all very emotional to him, the writer of Revelation, saying:

"I wept and wept." - Revelation 5:4

It is also quite emotional to Andrew Peterson, the writer of today's song. Near the end of the video he gets choked up and can't finish one of his own lines.

Another thing I love about this particular version of the song is the way that it is constructed, with a choir answering every question that is posed to it. That choir will be you and me one day. And we won't need read sheet music either. We will know every word by heart.

"And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne." - Revelation 2:3

So, is Jesus worthy? Oh, yeah.

He is!!

Is He Worthy - Andrew Peterson