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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1 Chronicles 18-19 "Seriously, what is administration?"

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Read 1 Chronicles 18-19

Verses chosen for meditation

1 Chronicles 18:14 "So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. 15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; and Shavsha was secretary; 17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were the chief officials in the service of the king."

Reflect

God was with David as he led personally in the battles against the enemies of God. Victories were given to his hands and he prospered in terms of territories, wealth and human resources. Apart from being wise and courageous in battles, God also gave David the righteousness and wisdom of being able to administer what he gained from these battles. This was especially so in the area of justice and equity for the people of Israel. 

We often hear the saying that "with great power comes great responsibility". What I would add is that with great responsibility, comes "great" administration. What is "great" administration? 

"Great" administration is not about being able to plan or organise things in a very structured manner. Rather, I see it more of being able to follow up with what God had entrusted to us, in good faith and love. 

David did not (at least in his earlier days) rest and laze about with the prosperity and power that God had given. Instead, he used them for giving what is good to the people through "great administration".

Relate 

We live in a society where the word "administration" is often reduced to some form of clerical work, organising things, being alert to what comes in the emails or at best, being fantastic in office management. 

However, as we can see from the Bible, the word "administered" means much more than all of these things. "Administered" in 1 Chronicles 18 is translated from the Hebrew word "hayah" which can have several meanings such as "come to pass or become". 

The sense of the word is that David had faithfully followed up or "make things come to pass" to ensure justice and equity for the people. In other words, David's willingness to manage the daily affairs of the people well equals "great" administration. It equals his love for God and the people.

This means that when we talk about "administration" whether in the context of family, workplace or church ministry; we cannot just be tagging it with what the secular world thinks it to be. 

Rather, we should adopt biblical perspectives and obey as the Lord wills it. Hence, whatever positions we are in, whatever portfolios we might have in the workplace, however we find ourselves serving in ministry; we need to remember that good administration is about having a good follow up to what God has entrusted to our care. 

It is about doing things well so that others can benefit from the outcomes. It is about being faithful to what we should be doing, so that we can truly say we love God and one another. 

Rest

Lord, we submit ourselves to your amazing administration over our lives. Teach us, fill us. Help us not to think or going about "administration" in a worldly manner. Rather, give us strength, wisdom and love to do it in a way that is pleasing to You. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen. 

Jason













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