Revelations 22:12-21

-
Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
Post a Comment

Exodus 1-2, Psalm 32

-

 


Read Exodus 1-2, Psalm 32 


Verses chosen for meditation:

Exodus 1:12-14 ESV


12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.


Reflect 


Reading these verses made us feel nothing but sorry for the lives of the Israelites, God’s beloved and blessed people. Why did they have to multiply through God’s blessings just to bear the brunt of torture and slavery by the Egyptians? Wouldn’t it be better for the Israelites not to multiply so fast and stay low profile to save their own skin. But as we read on the chapters we were told that God continued to save the male children from being murdered and the numbers grew greatly, and this further threatened the Egyptians and the vicious cycle continued. We also read that Moses (who had become the son of the Egyptian Princess) had to flee Egypt after murdering an Egyptian. Why did the events have to turn out that way? Wouldn’t it be better off for Moses to continue to stay as the member of the royal family to help improve the lives of the Israelites through his influence?


But God has a plan for the Israelites to leave Egypt to go and inherit the promised land, flowing with milk and honey (Exodus‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬). And the Israelites left Egypt with great possessions and plunder (Exodus 12:35-36). What a blessing in disguise! Most importantly God has wanted Israelites to be His chosen people, set apart for His purpose!


On the contrary, just imagine what would have happened if the Israelites got all comfortable and decided to settle down in Egypt forever?!


Relate 


Very often things do not go according to our way and our desire and we resent the situation out of shortsightedness. It could be not getting that job, our children not getting into that prestigious school, or simply not getting that parking lot! Sometimes we are pushed out of our comfort zone like the Israelites. But we need to trust that God has a better purpose for us even though we may not see it at that very moment. God’s plan is to prosper not to harm us, and to give us a future (Jeremiah 29:11).


And we are God’s chosen people too! “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What a privilege then for us to be set apart for His purpose and glory!


Pray


Heavenly Father, We thank You for setting us apart as Your chosen people. Help us therefore to fulfill Your purpose for us, to shine in the darkness and to glorify You in our good deeds. In Jesus name we pray Amen


Alan Wong


‭

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Revelations 22:12-21

-
Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
Read more

Revelations 15-16 “A Time of Grace Before the Full Wrath of God”

-
READ : Revelations 15-16 Verses chosen for meditation: Revelations 15:1 15  Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. REFLECT This chapter marks the beginning of the “bowl” plagues, and though it is the “last” of the sequence of visions given to John (after seals and trumpets), it does not mean it would happen chronologically that way. In what order it happens, we are not sure, but all three fulfil the wrath of God. After the three terrible signs happen, “the wrath of God is finished” (v1). When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled the wrath of God to bring salvation to the world. After a time of grace since Jesus’ death, the seals, trumpets and bowls must happen to fulfil the wrath of God on those continuing their evil, unrepentant ways despite the Gospel. These three signs are judgement of human sin after Jesus’ death. As the visions contin...
Read more

1 Timothy 2

-
Read 1 Timothy 2 Verses chosen for meditation: 1 Timothy 2: 1-4, 8, 9-10 ESV: 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;  9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Reflect What do you think form the focus and format of a worship service? Why is prayer important in a worship service? What are some of the things to be observed in the areas of propr...
Read more