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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2 Chronicles 17-18

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READ 2 Chronicles 17-18


Passage chosen for devotion:

“And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what my God says, that I will speak.””

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬


REFLECT


King Ahab formed alliance with King Jehoshaphat to battle against Ramoth-gilead. However the godly King Jehoshaphat made a wise suggestion to seek counsel from the Lord on the battle. King Ahab gathered his 400 prophets who prophesied according to what he wanted to hear (i.e. to go ahead with the war). But when he summoned Micaiah to make enquiry of this matter, Micaiah spoke the truth (what the King did not want to hear), and as the result he was ordered to be put in prison.


Ahab was an evil king that did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him (1 Kings 16:30). In this case he was obviously not intending to seek counsel of the Lord and he merely gathered his 400 prophets to support his cause for the sake of satisfying King Jehoshaphat’s request. His mind to wage war against Ramoth-gilead had already been made up and he was adamant about it. Worse still he was surrounded by people who were  favour seekers trying to align their messages to please the King. And Ahab practiced what we call “selective listening” to only hear what pleased him, though he knew the dire consequence of going to the war (against what was prophesied by Micaiah). Micaiah’s message (which is the truth and from God) did not align with what the King wished to hear and therefore was rejected.


RELATE


In many decisions that we make do we seek counsel from God? Do we pray about them and seek God’s direction? Even when we do are we praying for God to answer our prayer in His way? Sometimes we may have decided the desired outcome and we are merely seeking for God to deliver the results we want to achieve! It is also very tempting for us to practise selective listening or interpretation when we seek counsel from God.


Are we willing to listen to godly advice from people around us, even when they are not in alignment with our own will? This is not going to be easy especially when the advice is contrary to what we have painstakingly planned or prepared to achieve (e.g. our career, children’s education, or even our ministry work). Are we surrounded by people (circle of friends and colleagues) who are just there to affirm our desire and belief or those who are willing to provide godly and honest counsel (even if it hurts and disappoints!)?


“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬


REST


Create in me a clean heart o Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Help me to listen, discern and obey. In Jesus name I ask Amen.


Alan Wong



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