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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Jeremiah 3:6-4:4 "Obedience is a beautiful gift"

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Read Jeremiah 3:6-4:4

Verses chosen for reflection

Jeremiah 3:12-15  12 Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, "' Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever.  13 Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD.  14 Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.  15 "'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.


Reflect


The prophet Jeremiah was given word by God to ask Israel to return to Him. Jeremiah was to tell Israel that if she would acknowledge that they had rebelled against the Lord; they would be forgiven and allowed to return. When they return, God would even bless them and bring them to a place of rest and prosperity. He would even give them godly shepherds who would feed them with knowledge and understanding. 


We can see here that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is always merciful and ready to receive those who strayed from Him.  Not "just as we are" but if and only if we repent. 


Repentance means first and foremost the acknowledgement that one has done wrong. One has failed to obey the voice of God and did things against His will. After which, we seek to turn things around. We seek to turn towards God and obey His will. 


God was so gracious to initiate an offer of forgiveness to those who not only disregarded Him; but who went over to idol worship. The amazing thing about God is that when we return to His embrace; He promised not to leave us empty. He would fill us with the goodness that can only come from our Abba Father. Good things and people that are meant to prosper and not to harm us. Shepherds who understand the word of God and impart them with understanding; so that we can effectively apply them in our lives. 


Relate


It seems pretty straightforward. Repent and God is ever so ready to receive the prodigal. Yet, why is it so difficult for Israel to repent? Why is it so difficult for Israel to choose what is good over what is evil? We, who are watching at the side-lines may find it easy to choose. Yet, if we reflect deeper, we can come to the conclusion that sometimes, it is not so easy. 


Some issues might be easy to decide like whether it is morally right to harm a child. Yet some other issues, like whether to give up time for personal pleasures for spiritual disciplines might not be that easy. The choice may be clear; but the sinful nature has the tendency to yield to what distracts us from having a pure and fulfilling life with God. Sometimes, life can also get so challenging that any kind of temporal relief, no matter how ungodly the source can be; seems especially secure and comforting. We then miss the opportunity to trust for God’s timing and provisions.


God was not giving Israel a magical formula. Through Jeremiah, He was repeating something which He had told them countless times. Trust in God’s way and provision and everything will go well with them. Otherwise, slavery, death and destruction awaits. God was telling Israel that obedience is not a bad word. In fact, the grace and ability to obey God is a beautiful gift! For only by doing so, can Israel receive God's blessings and grace for “Zion”. 


So my friends, let us remain steadfast in our faith of a God is so merciful and Who keeps His promises. When we stumble, we acknowledge that we have rebelled against God, take our sin seriously to His throne and seek His help to overcome When God provide shepherds of His heart to help us learn and understand the word of God well; let us be attentive and open up our ears and apply the word in our lives. Let us not give in to how the world choose teachings that are easy to the ears; but superficial and sometimes devastating to the soul. Let us not yield to our own flesh for a quick worship service, be done with it and go for our favourite past time on a Sunday. Such attitude to worship is what God was warning Israel in the past. He is warning us now. 


Rest

Help us Lord, to remain steadfast to obey Your word and call for us to be true disciples of Christ. For only when we do so, can the world come to understand that they need You and that You are the only One who can save their souls. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen. 


Jason


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