Is He Worthy? A Call To Worship And Hope

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our hearts to Your Word today. May we see Your glory, feel Your presence, and respond with worship. Speak to us through Scripture and song, and remind us that You alone are worthy. Amen.

Introduction

The Christian hymn, "Is He Worthy?" was written by Andrew Peterson. Andrew Peterson originally recorded the song, and it was later popularized by Chris Tomlin when he included it on his worship album “Holy Roar”. I first heard this hymn when I was watching the memorial service of the late John Macarthur, and then again when I listened to the Hymns of Grace from the Shepard's Conference 2022 & 2024.

The song is inspired by Revelation 5, which poses the powerful question, “Is anyone worthy?”—with the resounding answer being “Yes! And His name is Jesus.” Peterson aimed to create a liturgical, call-and-response style worship song that invites communal affirmation of faith.

Here are the verses if you have never heard this Hymn before. Please do go and Google it if you have never heard of it before:

[Verse 1]

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)

Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)

But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)

Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Verse 2]

Is all creation groaning? (It is)

Is a new creation coming? (It is)

Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)

Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

[Chorus]

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

[Refrain 1]

Is He worthy? Is He worthy

Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy of this?

He is

[Verse 3]

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)

Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)

And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)

Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

[Chorus]

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

[Bridge]

From every people and tribe

Every nation and tongue

He has made us a kingdom and priests to God

To reign with the Son

[Refrain 2]

Is He worthy? Is He worthy

Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

Is He worthy of this?

He is!

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

He is!

He is!

Have you ever looked at the world and asked, “What is going on?” The brokenness, the injustice, the pain—it’s overwhelming. And in those moments, we ask: Is anyone in control? Is anyone worthy to fix this?

Let’s walk through this hymn and the Scripture behind it, and let it guide us into deeper worship and hope.

1. The Longing of Creation

Scripture: Romans 8:22–23

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

The hymn begins with questions:

- Do you feel the world is broken?

- Do you feel the shadows deepen?

These are not rhetorical—they’re real. We see war, poverty, corruption, and personal suffering. Even creation groans under the weight of sin.

But the hymn doesn’t stop there. It asks:

- Do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through?

This is the Christian hope: that the brokenness is not the end of the story. We have assurance of hope despite the suffering.

John 1:5 — “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Application: Ask yourself: What are the groanings in your life today? Bring them before God. He hears. He cares. He is not distant.

The hymn goes on to asks - Is all creation groaning? It is. Is a new creation coming? It is.

This speaks to the redemption and renewal and points to Revelation 21:1 and Romans 8:19-23, where creation awaits liberation.

2. The Worthiness of Christ

Scripture: Revelation 5:1–5

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.

In Revelation 5, John sees a scroll—God’s plan for redemption. But no one is worthy to open it. John weeps. Then the Lamb appears—Jesus, slain but standing.

The hymn asks:

- Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?