Living Water #605

LIVING WATER – EPISODE 605 || 30TH JANUARY, 2026

By Solomon Uwumbolibe Mensah

WORSHIP GOD ALONE

Scripture Reading: Revelation 22:8–9

“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.
But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!’”

Yesterday, we were reminded of the certainty of God’s Word and the nearness of Christ’s return. Today, the vision presses even closer to the heart of true devotion. As Revelation draws toward its final words, it confronts us with a subtle but critical danger: misdirected worship. In the brilliance of heavenly revelation, John himself stumbles—not into unbelief, but into misplaced reverence. What follows is not rebuke, but redirection. Heaven is jealous not for attention, but for God’s glory alone.

1. Overwhelmed by Revelation, Yet Still Human

“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.”

John emphasizes his eyewitness role. This is the same apostle who leaned on Jesus’ chest, who saw the empty tomb, who beheld the risen Christ. Yet even after decades of faithfulness, and after receiving the most astonishing visions ever given to a human being, John remains human. Revelation can overwhelm even the mature believer.

This moment reminds us that spiritual experiences—no matter how authentic; do not make us infallible. Seeing great things from God does not remove the need for discernment. Awe must always be guided by truth. God does not despise our amazement, but He carefully guards its direction.

2. The Danger of Misplaced Worship: “I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel…”

John’s mistake is understandable. The angel stands as a messenger of overwhelming glory, authority, and holiness. But understanding does not make the act acceptable. Worship, even when sincere, becomes sin when it is misdirected.

This passage warns us that it is possible to honor God’s servants, gifts, and instruments in ways that subtly replace God Himself. Angels, prophets, leaders, systems, even spiritual experiences; none are worthy of worship. Anything that draws devotion away from God, even unintentionally, becomes an idol. Heaven tolerates no rivals.

3. A Fellow Servant, Not an Object of Worship: “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you…” The angel immediately refuses worship. He does not enjoy the moment, explain it away, or accept partial reverence. His response is urgent and corrective. Why? Because true servants of God never compete with God.

The angel identifies himself not as superior, but as equal in service: a fellow servant with John, with the prophets, and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Rank disappears in the presence of worship. In God’s economy, greatness is not found in being revered, but in being faithful. Heaven’s messengers know their place; and they guard it fiercely.

4. The True Center of All Devotion: “Worship God!”

This is one of the clearest commands in all of Scripture. Not admire God. Not study God. Not speak about God. Worship God.

Revelation ends by restoring focus. Angels reveal. Prophets proclaim. Servants obey. But God alone receives worship. Everything in this book; visions, judgments, glory, rewards: funnels toward this single command. Worship is the highest calling of redeemed humanity, and the purest expression of obedience.

To worship God is to acknowledge His supremacy, submit to His authority, and live for His pleasure. Anything less is distortion.

Living with Undivided Worship

Revelation 22:8–9 teaches us that the closer we draw to the end, the more vigilant we must be about where our worship lands. In times of intense revelation and spiritual activity, the enemy does not always attack with denial; sometimes he distracts with redirection.

We are not called to worship messengers, methods, or manifestations. We are called to worship God. Our faith must be God-centered, not personality-centered. Our devotion must be anchored in truth, not spectacle.

When worship is pure, obedience flows naturally. When God alone is exalted, everything else finds its proper place. The final posture of the church is not confusion, fascination, or fear: but clear-eyed worship of the One who sits on the throne.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that You alone are worthy of worship. Guard my heart from misdirected devotion, even when it appears spiritual or sincere. Teach me to honor Your servants without ever replacing You. Fix my eyes on You alone, and let my worship be pure, humble, and obedient. May my life declare, in word and deed, that You alone are God.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.