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 23-24 "Destruction and Replacement"

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Read 2 Chronicles 23-24

Verses chosen for meditation: 2 Chronicles 23:16-17 "And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the Lord's people. 17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars."


Reflection

We read in the book of Kings and Chronicles that whenever a king did reforms to restore worship for Yahweh; idols were destroyed. Why was it that these idols needed to be destroyed? Why can't they be buried somewhere else since they are pretty much useless and powerless against the might of God? 


Yes, by themselves, these idols have no power. Rather, it was the worship and corrupted practices of the people who gave these idols "power" to move them away from their worship of the true God of Israel. If these idols were just being buried, they could be dug up again. Their images could have tempted the people once more, to rely on the gods of the harvests and fertility; rather than the God who brought them out of Egypt. 


Fact is, even after these idols were destroyed, new ones can be built. As long as the hearts of the people were not for God; new ones can be built and even adopted from foreign lands. Such an occurrence happened time and again throughout the lineage of kings. Righteous kings destroy idols but even more unrighteous ones led the people to rededicate their lives to Baal. So it wasn't that these idols were so powerful by themselves to lure the people of Israel towards evil; rather, their lustful hearts had led them to seek out these idols for comfort and worship.


Relate

Idols must be destroyed. And more importantly, hearts must be restored and committed to the Lord. No point destroying all forms of spiritual idols in our lives such as addiction to internet gaming; but we fail to fill our hearts with the goodness of God. The goodness of God that can only be found in His word and Spirit.


During my teenage years, I was addicted to internet gaming. Such a preoccupation took many precious hours away from my daily life. So much so that it affected my studies and relationship with others. Back then, I did not know God and hence did not have the resources or the spirit to overcome. I was left shackled to such a wasteful activity for many years.


After I came to know the Lord and on the day when I decided to destroy the resources that fuel such addictions; I can literally hear an unearthly cry of pain out of nowhere. After which, I experienced a deep sense of spiritual freedom that can only come from God. At that point in time, I know that I cannot turn back. 


This sense of spiritual freedom is too good to let go. Yet, I also know that left to myself, it will be in no time when I will get back to that darkness. Therefore, I must cling to God and His word often, going deeper with Him and learning to focus on the things of heaven; rather than hell.


This was and remains a stark reminder to me, that idols, no matter what forms it comes, must be destroyed.  More importantly, I must not give any power to the idols of this world. I must remain focused in my worship of God.


Rest

Lord my God. Thank you for lifting me out of the darkness. Grant me strength, wisdom and grace to dwell in Your love. Keep me in the Light as You are the Light. Help my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ reading this devotion to be lifted up as well. Keep them in Your embrace; till Christ comes in final victory. Amen. 


Jason









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