Revelations 22:12-21

-
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...
Post a Comment

Jeremiah 46

-

Read Jeremiah 46

Verses chosen for devotion - Jeremiah 46:7-8, 25 and 28

7 “Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge?

8 Egypt rises like the Nile,like rivers whose waters surge. He said, ‘I will rise, I will cover the earth, I will destroy cities and their inhabitants.’

25 The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, said: “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. 

28 Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you.

I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you,

but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.”

Reflect

Egypt was a mighty nation with strong armies. They were very well prepared to battle Babylonians, with chariots and horses, shields and bows. They were described as rising Nile that covers the earth and destroy cities. They even had the reinforcement of hired soldiers and mercenaries. They killed King Josiah of Judah in the battle at Carchemish, and King Necho also claimed it was the will of God for him to go up for the battle against the Babylonians (2 Chronicles 35:21).  But despite all this military might and confidence, God brought judgement against Egypt and Pharaoh, and their eventual defeat by the Babylonians. God judges all nations, for He is the King of all nations (including the non-believing ones). He can use one nation to punish another - Israel against wicked nations around Canaan (Deuteronomy 20:16-17), Assyrian against Israel (2 Kings 15:29), Babylon against Judah (Jeremiah 27). God will not let the wrong go unpunished, but there is always the hope of restoration (v28).

Relate

Some reflections from the above passage:

1. God is sovereign over all nations. He is not just God of His people and His believers, He is also God of non-believers and those who do not know Him. He is God of all nations in the past (psalm 86:9) and He will continue to be so in time to come (Revelation 15:4). And He can bring judgement to any nations as He is sovereign and just (just as in the case of Egypt). 

2. Man’s arrogance and self reliance is not sustainable. God will punish and put an end to the pomp of the arrogant and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless (Isaiah 13:11)

3. God is faithful in His punishment. He may discipline the ones He loves for their own good. Without that, men will surely walk down the path of self-destruction. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him, For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:6)

We have seen in history mighty nations conquering and oppressing other nations, committing evil and wickedness, causing blood shed and genocide. World War II for instance, we learnt about the rise and fall of the evil oppressors too. But sadly history continues to repeat itself (with the recent unrests around the globe) when people failed to acknowledge the sovereignty and justice of God (when they themselves become God). Human and nations can quickly become proud with the success of wealth, technology and prosperity. We may think that we are well prepared for any outcome but we never know how things will turn (as in the case of the Egyptian mentioned in the passage). Even as Christians we tend to be self reliant and self sufficient.  I am reminded of the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21) - more wealth will lead to less worry. This is very much the psychology of many of us, building wealth, storing them, to be fully prepared so we can take life easy, eat and be merry. But is this sustainable? What happens to the rich fool in the end?

Even as our flesh is weak and as we commit sins and evil in God’s eyes, He loves us and will not give up on us. Even when we receive our punishment God’s desire is always for us to repent.  After all which parent wishes to see the child walking down the path of destruction?


Rest

'Cause all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God’


Alan Wong

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Revelations 22:12-21

-
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...
Read more

Revelations 15-16 “A Time of Grace Before the Full Wrath of God”

-
READ : Revelations 15-16 Verses chosen for meditation: Revelations 15:1 15  Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. REFLECT This chapter marks the beginning of the “bowl” plagues, and though it is the “last” of the sequence of visions given to John (after seals and trumpets), it does not mean it would happen chronologically that way. In what order it happens, we are not sure, but all three fulfil the wrath of God. After the three terrible signs happen, “the wrath of God is finished” (v1). When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled the wrath of God to bring salvation to the world. After a time of grace since Jesus’ death, the seals, trumpets and bowls must happen to fulfil the wrath of God on those continuing their evil, unrepentant ways despite the Gospel. These three signs are judgement of human sin after Jesus’ death. As the visions contin...
Read more

1 Timothy 2

-
Read 1 Timothy 2 Verses chosen for meditation: 1 Timothy 2: 1-4, 8, 9-10 ESV: 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;  9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Reflect What do you think form the focus and format of a worship service? Why is prayer important in a worship service? What are some of the things to be observed in the areas of propr...
Read more