Endless Alleluia

In the morning when I rise to meet You; in the morning when I lift my eyes…

You’re the only one I want to cling to; You’re the first thought on my mind.

How sweet it is when these words ring true to us—when our gravitational center is turned to the beauty of God rather than the selfish desires of the human will. It is likely impossible for any of us to claim this reality unfalteringly throughout our lives—the heart is after all, deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). We have to acknowledge that we are fickle, distractible creatures:

In the moments where You go unnoticed; in the ordinary day-to-day…

Countless miracles of life around us point like arrows to Your name.

Even when we are surrounded by the visible and invisible goodness of God, the cares of the world and the lies of the enemy lurk around every corner, seeking to shift our gaze. But by the power of the living Spirit who is, at all times, regenerating and sanctifying us, we are able to pray these words with great hope: 

Lord, be the only one I want to cling to; be the first thought on my mind.

We rejoice in God’s answer on the days when we do, upon rising with the sun, think first of Him and long to cherish His friendship above all else. On those days, just as on the dark and empty ones, we say…

Let our voices rise; all creation cries, singing out an endless “Alleluia”

From this moment on, join with heaven’s song, singing out an endless “Alleluia”

This “Alleluia” does not depend on the state of our hearts or circumstances. It can be endless because, in Christ, we are afforded a joy that is immovable. We can say with the saints: Even when all is lost, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:18) 

If Creation itself is crying out the glory of God, we ought to join in all the more as those who have been given immeasurably more than any other created thing.

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” – Psalm 19:1-2

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars, which You have set in place, what is mankind that You are mindful of them…” – Psalm 8:3-4

And we cry “Holy, holy, holy is the Lamb…”

Somehow, in the midst of God’s vast and majestic creation, we are given an offer of love and nearness. The God who spoke the waters, the heavens, the land, and the stars into existence…He invites us to know Him. To be known by Him. There is no response more worthy than, “Holy, holy, holy.”

When God’s beauty is revealed to us: Holy.

When our sin is great, but His mercy proves greater: Holy.

When life is dark, but the light of Christ has not gone out: Holy.

When new life is breathed into a dead heart: Holy.

When we are forgetful, but see that we are yet to be forgotten: Holy.

When we reach eternity, we will find the hosts of heaven singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”  (Revelation 4:8) 

We will join with them in the endless Alleluia that will echo beyond all that is today and all that will ever be. That is the moment for which we were created. Let us seek it, however possible, with our whole hearts—today and every day, until the day comes and we are with Him forever.