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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Isaiah 26 to 27

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READ: Isaiah 26-27

REFLECT: 

Peace is possible even in our stressful, troubled world. In Isaiah 26:3, the Bible promises that God “will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” 

Isaiah 26:3 is part of a song of praise in which the biblical prophet Isaiah celebrates God’s trustworthiness to provide all that people need, including their ultimate need: salvation. Isaiah sings about how Israel will be judged for their sins yet also restored by God, in His mercy. Isaiah predicts that God will save people from their sins. Although people may sometimes be faithless toward God, God will always be faithful to his people, Isaiah emphasises. God is willing to redeem and restore, and His perfect peace enters the souls of all who decide to trust Him. 

So, Isaiah urges readers to trust in God. He writes that it is “because they trust” in God that God “will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast”. The very next verse after v.3 emphasises trust: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal” (Isa.26:4).

RELATE:

Everyone who chooses to keep their minds steadfast because they trust in God can count on experiencing perfect peace while they do so, according to this verse. That means you can enjoy a state of perfect peace as long as you focus your mind from beyond your circumstances to God, and trust him to help you no matter what. As a result of choosing to trust God, you welcome God’s peace into your mind.

Some people chase after peace of mind from worldly achievements, such as through wealth. Good circumstances may help you enjoy a temporary feeling of peace. However, only God can actually provide complete and lasting peace. God, who alone is perfect, is the only reliable source of peace. Thankfully, God is willing to give that perfect peace to everyone who decides to trust him to provide it.

Trusting God involves being at peace with God through Jesus Christ since Jesus made it possible for all humanity to have relationships with God. Eph. 2:14 says about Jesus: “For he himself is our peace” and Eph.2:17-18 points out that, “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

When we have that close connection to God, we can experience peace even during the most challenging circumstances, because “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

John Gills Commentary puts it this way: "this peace is true, real, and solid; in which sense the word "perfect" is used, in opposition to a false and imaginary one; and it will end in perfect peace in heaven: moreover, the word "perfect" is not in the Hebrew text, it is there "peace, peace"; which is doubled to denote the certainty of it, the enjoyment of it, and the constancy and continuance of it; and as expressive of all sorts of peace, which God grants unto his people, and keeps for them, and them in; as peace with God and peace with men, peace outward and peace inward, peace here and peace hereafter; and particularly it denotes the abundance of peace that believers will have in the kingdom of Christ in the latter day."

Peace is one of the nine “fruit of the Spirit” listed in GAL.5:22-23. As you invite the Holy Spirit to renew your mind, you can count on the Spirit’s help to do what ISA.26:3 calls you to do: trust in God with a steadfast mind.

REST:

A powerful way to pursue peace is to pursue wonder because experiencing wonder expands your awareness of God’s work in your life, and that gives you the assurance you need to trust God and be at peace. In the book Wake Up to Wonder, the author tells the story of how one of her grandmothers, Nana, struggled to find peace at the end of her life, but ultimately found it when they prayed together. The trust exercise she suggested to Nana has helped her many times, and it can be a wonderful way for anyone to seek the perfect peace that only comes from God. 

Here’s how it works: Visualize Jesus on the cross, and visualize the specific things that are troubling you. Then see yourself walking toward Jesus and laying those things down at the foot of the cross for him to take care of for you. Through a brief prayer, ask Jesus for help with every specific thing you’ve left there for him. Entrust it all to his care. See yourself walk away afterward, with your mind and heart open to receiving peace from Jesus.


TAN TEE KHOON

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