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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Read Judges 1-2:5; Psalm 136

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Read Judges 1-2:5; Psalm 136

Verse chosen for meditation: Judges 1:19 ESV

"And the LORD was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron."


Reflect

Do we detect an inconsistency in the verse? Compare it with Joshua 17:18.

What could be the explanation for it? Read Judges 2:2,3.

What do we know of the final outcome of the Canaanites and their chariots of iron? See Judges 4.

What life lessons can we learn here?


Relate

I'm personally drawn to the first half of the verse, which reads: "And the Lord was with Judah...". It's possibly the best assurance or compliment that anyone can receive. I don't know about you, but it'd be such a great assurance and honour for me. 


The second half of the verse, however, mars whatever good vibes the first half has generated. It even begs the question, "Is God not omnipotent?" Then why couldn't he trounce the Canaanites' fearsome chariots of iron on the plain?  What should we also make of the assurance in Joshua 17: 18 (though this was given specifically to the tribes of Joseph), was it an empty promise?


Not surprisingly, this verse in Judges has prompted opposing views and comments from both sides of the fence although not much is known to this day as to why the tribe of Judah was not able to drive out the inhabitants of the plain. Is it true that the chariots of iron had such a supreme advantage on the lowlands that the Israelites, even with the help of the Lord, were stopped dead in their tracks? If that’s not it, what could be the true reason behind the selective conquest by the Lord where one victory stood out as clear as day and the other remained shrouded in mystery?


Those on the other side of the fence are not slow to pick on it and jibe at the way the omnipotent God loses out to the mighty chariots. But did the Lord really lose out? 


On this side of the fence, by way of a counterargument, a few reasons have been offered for the apparent failure of the Israelites to fully drive out the Canaanites, chief of which is their disobedience. We have the evidence of their disobedience in the next chapter (Judges 2: 2,3).


Whatever it is, the plans of the Lord cannot be thwarted (Job 42: 2). The Word of the Lord will not come back void, but accomplish what the Lord desires and achieve its purpose (Isaiah 55: 11). For that reason, we should not put our trust in chariots or horses, but in the Lord (Psalm 20: 7). 


All this came to pass in Judges 4. Interestingly, God used Barack and also two women to accomplish this feat. One of them was Deborah, the only female judge in Israel, whose name means 'bee' in Hebrew. The other was Jael, the wife of a supposed ally of the Canaanite king, whose name means 'mountain goat' in Hebrew. What a beautiful sense of humour! A 'bee' produces honey and a 'goat' gives milk.


So, when the Lord finally drove the Canaanites out, it was truly a land flowing with milk and honey. His ways are indeed higher than ours. And his understanding no one can fathom.


We could have encountered a similar scenario in life where God seems not to have delivered as expected. In such situations, we wonder too about the omni-potency of God. Is he not more powerful than the persons or forces we're dealing with? If so, why wouldn't he subdue them?


There are reasons for such similar situations in life, one of which is our own disobedience or undoing. God has his own reasons as well, which are beyond our human understanding. Just know that when God acts, no one can stop unless he allows it. Most of the time, if not all the time, the means he chooses baffle us too. Like the choice of a cross. Or a sling. Or uneducated fishermen. Or two women named after a bee and mountain goat.


We need to learn to wait for the big picture. One of the greatest tragedies in life is that we jump to an early conclusion. We need to remember that our God is the alpha and omega, and the beginning and the end. 


As the author and perfector of our faith, he is the One who should conclude the matter.


Rest

Lord, we are confident of this, that you who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. That your Word will not come back void, but achieve your purpose. And that in its time, you make all things beautiful.


Naville Chia


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