Today's Readings: New Testament -
Mark 12:28-34
Revelation 7
Old Testament -
Job 32
Amos 5-6
Click on Text Links to Read Online
Focus Verses: Revelation 7:13-17
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Insight:
Hope, redemption, and eternal provision are part of John's vision for all who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; he will cover them like a tent of protection, he will see that they never go hungry or thirsty, he will shade them from the scorching heat, and the Lamb will shepherd them to streams of cool refreshing water.
Response and Action:
I will persevere through the challenges, pains, and struggles of life in the hope that God will one day set things right and wipe away all tears from my eyes. My faith is in Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. I will confess my sins, knowing that he is able to forgive and purify me ("wash my robes") because of his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.
O God, you are my hope, my protector, and my deliverer. Shield me from the harsh heat of this world and bring me through the struggles of my life. Lead me and keep me. Let your holy word and the presence of your Spirit be like cool water to my soul. My soul thirsts for you and my flesh yearns for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. God, you are my God, I will seek you earnestly. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Psalm 63:1, 6-7
1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. - - - 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Resources:
The Throne, the Lamb & the Dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation
by Paul Spilsbury
