The first time I heard this song by Andrew Peterson, I didn’t care for it. The question/response format set to music did not appeal to or pull me in. It didn’t make me feel as warm and fuzzy as many other songs have. Please don’t tell Andrew Peterson, but I ignored the song for a time until my daughter sent a video of my oldest grandson singing it with a group from his Christian School. God tugged at my heart. Another video of a much younger granddaughter pretending she was singing the song on a make-believe stage like the teens she looked up to got my full attention. The more I listened and pondered the lyrics, the more the song’s questions demanded a personal and heartfelt response. Is He worthy?

It was certainly not a life goal of mine to miss as many family events as possible or to be a stranger to the children I loved so dearly. May I never forget my daughter’s response when I apologized (again) for living over four thousand miles across the ocean and not being present at her daughter’s party. “It’s ok, Mom. Jesus is more important than birthdays and birthday parties.” Her sincere reply challenged me to renew my commitment to look at life in the light of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind and focus on shining for Him and pointing others toward His saving grace wherever He leads me to live and serve. He IS worthy!

I’ve come to appreciate the song’s lyrics and format and realize I need to ask myself these questions and let my heart answer them daily. He is worthy! The One who conquered sin and death on the cross and secured the ultimate victory at Calvary is worthy! He is more important than birthday parties or anything else in this world.

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

From every people and tribe, Every nation and tongue

He has made us a kingdom and priests to God to reign with the Son.

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

Of all blessing and honor and glory

Is He worthy of this? HE IS!

Revelation 5:9-10 says, “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’”