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 56-57

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Read Isaiah 56-57

Verses chosen for meditation: Isaiah 56: 7 and 57: 13b ESV:

"these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”


But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.


Reflect


Have you been invited by the Lord before? Would you like to be on the list? What if the Lord is inviting you on this second day of the new year?


What would it take to be accepted by the Lord? What would it be like to be accepted by the Lord, or be acceptable in his presence on this second day of the new year?


What is his church known as today? Does it bear semblance to a house of prayer? Is it even for all people?


Relate


In today's reading, you'll notice that there are 2 groups of people. A group that is accepted by the Lord and a group that is not. There are no in - betweens.


As this is the second day of the new year, let us seize the day as it were. Let us first review our standing before the Lord and ask as to which of the two groups we belong.


Do not be surprised that the culprits among us could actually be those who hold esteemed positions in Christian circles. These individuals have no excuse for aligning 

themselves with practices and beliefs that are not of the Lord's. They have no excuse for not doing what needs to be done to shepherd and awaken God’s people. Therefore, as leaders and watchmen, we should not be taking our responsibilities lightly. For with great power comes great responsibility.


It is said that if the divine call doesn't make us better; it will make us worse. Of all the bad men, religious bad men are the worst. It is a known fact that of all the created beings, the wickedest is the one who originally stood in the immediate presence of God. Though the irony may seem farcical, it is no laughing matter.


Moving on, now imagine an invitation being sent out from the Lord's office, as though he had an office like that of the Prime Minister or the President. In other words, imagine an invitation being issued from the highest office in the land. Would it not be in our interest then to find out if our name is on that list? And if we do make it on the list, how differently would that affect the new year?


For one, it would bring some joy, if not immense joy. This joy may even eclipse the other little joys that come our way, or remove any dampener that's upsetting our mood and morale.


Indeed, to be selected and accepted by the Lord is the best possible news ever at the start of a new year. Still, we don't earn it, no matter what. It's because the good Lord has put us on the list after searching us out. This is way more than we can ask for. 


The holy mountain of the Lord is sometimes seen as a reference to the whole earth under Christ's reign and not just Jerusalem or Zion, the city of God. It's the priviledge of the chosen to be allowed on the 'holy mountain'.


This new year, the Lord has chosen you. Yes, you. He will accept your offering and sacrifices. Together with the invitation, he has also issued a call to prayer. Since, in addition to all the things it stands for, his church is to be a house of prayer. And we, his people, are no exceptions.


But why prayer? Prayer connects us to God. Prayer acknowledges God. Prayer allows God to show us his plans and his ways.


It is said that 'Prayer is Words, but behind the words is Meaning, behind the meaning is Will, behind the will is Faith, behind the faith is Knowing God, and behind knowing God is the Word. Here it is, the life - giving cycle of prayer.


Rest


Lord, bring us today in this new year to your 'holy mountain'. Make us joyful in your 'house of prayer'. Accept our offering and sacrifices as we lay them down before you. Be our eternal refuge. And let us possess the 'land' that we are meant to inherit.


Naville Chia


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