Revelations 22:12-21

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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...
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Covenant Keeping God - Psalm 74

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Read Psalm 74


This is a Psalm of great sorrow of the people of God under siege by the enemy and the destruction of the sanctuary (or temple). The psalmist lamented that because of God’s wrath, He has forsaken them and that all hope seemed to have been lost with no signs of help from God. There was a great sense of helplessness and nothing could be done in the midst of the oppression by the enemies who held no regards for God. I gathered 3 parts for reflection:

  1. The state of helplessness and despair when God seems to be not responding
  2. Remembering God’s favour and power
  3. Plea for God to remember His covenant and to help

We do not know when this psalm was written (could be during the siege by Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar as some have suggested). The psalmist was cognisant of the wrath of God that had brought this event upon them (v1) but he also believed that God is a covenant keeping God (v2). Hence he continued to remind God to keep His covenant with the people He redeemed. Even at times of desperation and despair the Psalmist recalled God’s goodness and power in delivering His people out of Egypt, crushing the pursuing enemies and provided Israelites with water from the rock in the wilderness (v12-15). The Psalmist also pleaded with God for His help to act to defend His cause, protect His people and His glory. At the first glance this Psalm may look like a Psalm of lamentation. But it is in fact also a psalm of assurance and faith, knowing that God is from of old (v12) and His loving and faithful nature will not change. The psalmist also appealed to the gracious and merciful side of God, knowing that even when His people had sinned God will not forget about His covenant and turn away from them forever.


Relate


God’s covenant and promises with us are possible through Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:15). Cleansed from all sins we have become God’s people. Faced with dire or even life threatening situation (like the Psalmist) let us remember God’s covenant with us for He keeps them. Like the Psalmist we should recount God’s goodness - how He has delivered us from the slavery to our sins (Israelites delivered from the slavery to Egypt), and how he has provided us with a way when we are at our dead end (parting the Red Sea to provide crossings for the Israelites). And to remember that with all things we can bring our petition to God in prayer (the psalmist plea to God to act). Philipians 4:6 - “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”. God has done it before and he will certainly do it again for He is faithful.  


Rest


Heavenly Father, we thank You for the reminder from this beautiful Psalm that You are a covenant keeping God. We thank You for being our God so that we can be Your people. In Jesus name we pray Amen


Alan Wong





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