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Alleluia! Sing to Jesus ~ Hymn 260

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: March 26, 2020

Category: Daily Devotional

Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Isaiah 66:1

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is my resting place?”

From a distance I have seen twice the magnificent home of King Ludwig II of Bavaria … Neuschwanstein Castle. It is enormous and from pictures I have seen of the interior it is elegant and ornate. King Ludwig also had another castle, smaller in size, but gold trimmed that resembled the most celebrated of French palaces. Versailles. I remember that the entire dining room floor operated on a pulley so that his meals could be served to him without seeing or interacting with the staff. It is magnificent, but once my tour was over, I could understand why Ludwig was considered mad. Surrounded by such opulence and void of much human contact could lead to poor mental health.

On a celestial stage and with far greater grandeur, we are given a glimpse of the King of kings and Lord of lords domain. The prophet Isaiah views heaven as God’s throne and the earth as God’s footstool. From heaven, the Lord’s throne, he oversees the entire universe and God’s feet rest on the earth, his footstool. God does not cloister himself from the people. In the hymn, two elements of royalty are mentioned: scepter and throne.

In the text there are two comedic questions are asked. First, what is the house that you would build for me? Considering heaven is God’s throne and the earth is God’s footstool, no matter how skilled “the builders” and regardless of the materials available for such construction, no one could improve or better what God has already done. Would you not agree?

Prayer

O God, we thank You for beautiful and magnificent buildings human being can construct. Keep us mindful that we cannot better or improve what you have already done. Open our eyes to admire the beauty and wonders of your creation. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.