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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Obedience - Hebrews 4:14-6:20

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Read - Hebrews 4:14-6:20


Verses chosen for devotion : 5:5-10


So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”;
6 as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.


Reflect


Jesus is not only an appointed High Priest, He is the son of God, ruler and heir to the throne. And He is not just any high priest, but a high priest from the line of Melchizedek (King of Righteousness and King Of Peace), a forever Priest of God Most High, whom Abraham gave a tenth of his everything (Read Genesis 14). Jesus took the cup of God’s wrath by obedience (vs 8) because He knew what God was doing. “It is finished” John 19:30 - Jesus finished the redemptive work by consuming the cup of God’s wrath. And by that act of obedience and trust, we were saved.


But what if Jesus disobeyed? What would have happened to us?


Relate


Adam sinned when he disobeyed God. God ordered him not to eat the forbidden fruit but he did it anyway. And because of that he was cut off from God, and sins continued to separate men from God. Jesus did exactly the opposite of what Adam did by being obedient to God to carry out His redemptive work to save mankind from destruction.


I often wonder why I tend to disobey God in many ways. Hence I am asking myself the following questions:

1) Do I tend to trust in my own ability to solve my problem than to rely on Him?

2) Do I have the inclination to follow my own plan than to believe in His purpose for me? 

3) Do I rely on my own wisdom or even the advice offered by the internet world, then to seek Him for His counsel?

4) Do I have the urge to yield to my flesh desires instead of to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit?

How do I fare in terms of obedience??


Jesus, the son of God, and the ruler of heaven and earth could have let the cup pass from Him in order to save Himself from the pain and agony He has to endure in the human form. But He chose to obey because He knew of the Father’s plan. Shouldn’t I then, imitate Christ, in His joyful obedience to God. Even when there are many options and alternatives out there, I should remain steadfast to choose the path of obedience. And that will require me to hear Him, trust Him and surrender to Him. “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land” Isaiah 1:19 -  reminds me that God wills the best for me, and all I need to do is trust and obey.


Rest


“Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.”


Alan Wong


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