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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Catch up day/ Proverbs 20 - Self examination.

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READ: Catch up day/ Proverbs 20

Verses chosen for meditation: Proverbs 20:9; 27 - Self-examination.

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.

REFLECT

While reading Proverbs as wise counsel and practical advises for living, they could also be thought-provoking statements of truth or conclusions, some of which are results of definitive actions and consequences. Nevertheless, not all conclusions are necessarily true all the time. For example, v.7: “The righteous who walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him!”. I think we all recognise that not every child will grow up well, even though the parents are righteous. So, this is no guaranteed result. Therefore, proverbs are not commands nor promises of God (although some seems the same upon reading), but general wisdom with fitting sayings for various situations and godly living in a broken world.

Looking at v.9: Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”? it is really a rhetorical question. However, if the answer is meant in any ultimate sense, this would be the boast or claim of a fool. See how the latter verses consciously reminds us of “dishonesty” through simple acts with weights and measures (vv.10, 23; Prov 12:22) against a clean and pure heart.

In answering v.9, it is then appropriate to relate to v.27, “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord.” That is what God made our spirits for. Our essential nature is to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is the Light and we are the lamp. When the lamp of the spirit holds the light of the Holy Spirit, He searches the innermost part of a life, and allow us for self-examination.

 

RELATE

Reading Proverbs is like looking intently at my life in front of a mirror, as mentioned in James 1:23-24. Verse 9 then becomes so real to me again when I self-reflect against my conduct. Undoubtedly, only God can make my heart clean. There are mysteries and truths of the spirit of a man that only the lamp of God can expose. In this respect, I can think of God’s Word as a lamp and a Light, Ps 119: 105. God’s Word is active and living, Heb 4:12; can search the depths of a man’s heart like nothing else (“see any offensive ways in me...”, see Ps 139: 23-24). Only Jesus is worthy to be our assessor with our godly or ungodly living. 

Recently, the Holy Spirit has prompted me to take the first initiative to ask for forgiveness from the team members, as I could have offended all, while working together on an event. The prompting was perplexed to me. Yet, I recognised that dethroning self and putting relationships right with both God and man are necessary. Looking at the Cross, I finally yielded to the inner voice. To me, this was my necessary and purifying “mirror” action in light of Jesus, who is consummately wise and worthy to judge.

Sadly, and anyway let’s be honest too – the truth is that everyone is foolish in areas and seasons of our life. None of us is immune to folly. Every one of us has at least some areas of our lives that are foolish, if not even evil. Be encouraged my friends, our most wise God understands us as “works in progress” and only our Lord is consummately wise and totally worthy of our trust. 


REST

Yes, a wise person lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov. 2:5-6). 

 

Lord, help me to turn to Jesus, the Teacher of wisdom as I seek godly counsel in all the affairs of my life.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Vincent

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