I'm just now getting into the music of the Christian group, Casting Crowns. I knew of them previously, but finally bought their CD, "Lifesong Live." There are some great tunes on there. I need to get their other musical offerings. Being a 'word' guy, their lyrics especially appeal to me. Straightforward and unambiguous, they lead the listener in all sorts of directions, but always to the Lord.

I also like the group's name. After learning more about Casting Crowns on their web site, I turned to the 4th chapter of the book of Revelation to revisit the origin of their chosen moniker. There we see an overwhelming picture of the Throne Room in heaven. Twenty-four elders are sitting upon thrones around the Throne. They wear white robes and crowns of gold on their heads. They rule with Christ. There are commentaries that believe the 24 elders represent the Church. I agree. Before singing the song of redemption in chapter five, verses 8-10, we find them casting their crowns before the Throne and saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (4:10-11)  John McArthur states: "(They are) aware that God alone is responsible for the rewards they have received (and) they divest themselves of all honor and cast it at the feet of their King."

Jesus did it all for us. "...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through Him." (Rom 5:8-9) You and I and all those who are in Christ by faith - "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; as it is a gift of God..." (Eph 2:8) - will indeed one glorious day cast our crowns at the feet of our most worthy King. 

As I studied this it led me in another direction(like Casting Crown lyrics), but again to the Lord. I found myself in II Samuel, verses13-17. Here we find David and his men in their stronghold at the cave of Adullam. The Philistines were camped around Bethlehem. "And David said with longing, 'Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate'." (v. 15) Three of David's mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well by the gate. They brought it to David. Oh, how sweet it must have tasted! David drank nary a drop instead pouring it out on the ground. I remember the first time I read this; I thought "I'd have rung his neck!" But no, as David said, "Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?"

David understood his men's sacrifice of love on his behalf. And David poured the water at their feet and "out to the Lord." When we stand with crowns in hand; crowns given us by Christ, we too will cast them at His feet, overcome with His sacrifice of love on our behalf.

I can't wait. How about you?