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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Job 42:7-17 "All End Well"

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READ: Job 42:7-17.

Verses chosen for meditation: Job 42:10, 12: “All End Well”.

10 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends... 12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. … .


REFLECT

We are delighted and comforted to read “all end well” in this final chapter of Job. It likens a re-write of the final episode in some TV drama, so as to portray an “all well” ending.

The chapter reads on to show how God rebuked his three so-called friends for not speaking the truth about Him (vv.7-8). Truly throughout, they had totally “mis-represented” God! Ignorant of the real cause of Job’s calamities, the three friends tormented Job with simplistic reasons for his pains. They charged Job with hypocrisy and even with outright wickedness, without any basis. But they might have taken “too simplistic” a view with God’s character while we admit that there is no easy answer to Job’s plight.

Job was finally vindicated, and all ended well whereby restoration took place.

 

RELATE

Although Job’s friends meant to uphold God’s righteousness, but they said nothing about His mercy, compassion, patience, and His willingness to wait and give opportunity to men to repent. The Bible says that God sends the rain upon the just and the unjust alike (Matt 5:45). God's blessings are not withheld from those who are wrong or rebellious; He gives life to alike. It is the goodness of God that is designed to lead to repentance, so that men may understand where their blessings are coming from (Romans 2:4).

We often attempt to defend God’s actions by simply pin-pointing suffering is always link to retribution or sin. Be sure, God needs no defender for His righteousness or actions. He need not answer to anyone; but will reveal His reasons or intervene whenever appropriate. God is ever consistent with His character; He is Sovereign, just, utterly and ever trustworthy. Therefore, let’s us continue to trust in God’s unchanging goodness, to rest fully in Him and live lives set apart for Him.

Finally, Job submitted that God is Above All and are in control. Job was assured that God is working out according to His own perfect purposes although he can’t see His hands. Job then surrendered in repentance, recognised that he has overstepped his boundaries. Job’s conviction is that the God he trusted is Sovereign, wise and totally know what He is doing. Now, he found peace and no longer demand anything from God but bow in humble worship (vv.1-2).

Previously, Job had a theoretical knowledge of God, but now he has personally met God. Reading Job’s suffering being a foreshadow of Jesus, let us take comfort that Christ has suffered the worst for us and is now interceding for us. Jesus did not forsake us but will restore all when He returns for us. Although Job’s questions were unanswered, he was fully satisfied (5-6), knowing that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted (v.2). So as finite beings, let our Holy God be God and be worshipped alone.

In conclusion, hear what one Bible writer puts it beautifully: “the final view of God in this book is of a Being of incredible wisdom who puts things together far beyond human dreams and imaginations. He is working out incredible plans of infinite delight and joy that He will give to us if we wait for His purposes to be fully resolved.”

 

REST

Dear God, You are our good Father whose desire is always to have the best for us. Grant us grace and hope to keep trusting till the end even under trying circumstances.

Vincent 

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