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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Judges 8; Psalm 140 “The Might of God”

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Read: Judges 8; Psalm 140 “The Might of God”

Verses chosen for meditation: Judges 8:10-12

Judges 8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about 15,000 men, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East, for there had fallen 120,000 men who drew the sword. 11 And Gideon went up by the way of the tent dwellers east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the army, for the army felt secure. 12 And Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and he pursued them and captured the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and he threw all the army into a panic.


Reflect


It is easy to miss the details of this famous chase. 300 men of the Lord chasing after 15,000 men of Zeba and Zalmunna. Can we even begin to imagine such a ridiculous scenario?


The odds were astronomical and no army would do battle like this. Not even the “300” Spartans who held in defense of Thermopylae against 10,000 Persians. The Spartans, considered as one of the most skilled and courageous soldiers at that time,  held in defense but did not chase. 


Only the army of God did that in the whole of human history. Only the army of God had the courage and faith to do so. In verse 11, we are told that the 300 men of God “felt secure” enough to attack a comparatively much larger number of soldiers. Amazingly, they won and even captured the two kings of Midian. 


Relate


Is this a true story? I would have questioned the validity of the story if it had not appeared in the Bible. By itself it is an incredulous tale. Yet, we know that with God, this is possible. Overwhelming odds, but the victory belongs to God. Throughout the Bible, it seems that God is fond of doing things this way. Gaining victory through overwhelming odds. Gaining victory through the most unexpected way. 


Jesus’ death on the Cross had all the disciples running but His resurrection made such a great impact; that they were all willing to die for the Gospel. Through all these, we know that God was not showing off. 


Instead, He wanted the world to understand and be convicted that He is God. All the other so call “gods” and idols cannot even begin to compare. He is the Almighty and He can do whatever He wants. He can win 15,000 with a mere 300 men. He can do all things, as long as He wills it to be so. 


Hence, whether or not something would succeed is not to be determined by human means. Instead, it is to be determined by the will of God. We may be given a small amount of resources. Or we may seem “small” as compared to others. Yet, if God asked of us to do something; be sure that even small resources can conquer the Goliaths in our lives. 


The key, is to be like Gideon; who (at least for the first part of his life), understood that success can only be had by following the directions of God. Success can only be had by staying close to the voice of God.


Let us then be courageous and of faith if we ever receive a direction from God to “conquer” something that seem like a mountain. God is definitely bigger than the mountain. If He wants that mountain, He will surely have it.


Rest


Lord, help us to fix our eyes on You. Help us to seek intimacy with You, so that we know what is Your will and directions for our lives. Give us courage and strength to live that kind of kingdom life. We know that it shall be the best if we are to live in this way. This we pray in Jesus Name. Amen. 


Jason



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