Category: Scripture Journal

Terrible but good

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HIGHLIGHT

Revelation 15:3–4 (ESV): 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! 4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

EXPLAIN

Revelation 14 begins with the 144,000 now in Heaven with the Lamb, who is standing. Three angels then fly overhead with messages of warning for the inhabitants of the earth.

Then, in Revelation 14:14 we see one who would appear to be Jesus?, who looks like a son of man, seated on the cloud with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. It is time to harvest the earth.

In Revelation 15, seven angels come with seven plagues which are the last and which consummate God’s wrath. But before the first plague is poured out, we see all those who resisted the beast and its image, but instead remained faithful to Christ standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.

They sing the song of our highlighted text.

APPLY

Truly, God’s acts are amazing. Whether you think of Creation, of Calvary, of God’s dealings with humanity between those events or since, we must say that God’s ways are much higher than our ways. God deserves all our glory and praise.

But at the end of time, as God proves himself holy and sovereign and carries out judgment on sinful humanity, surely we will glorify God – we must glorify him – for He will prove himself much greater, wiser, and holier than we.

I am reminded of the line in C.S. Lewis’ allegory, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in which the children quiz one of Narnia’s creatures about Aslan, the lion who represents Christ. The creature describes Aslan with terrifying imagery. The children are afraid and seek reassurance. Is Aslan good? Yes, the creature assures him, though Aslan is terrible, fearsome to behold and mighty in his acts, Aslan is very, very good.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great grace that redeems us from sin, adopts us into your family, and prepares us for eternity. May I always approach you with reverence and gratitude, assured of your goodness and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The power of your friends

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 120:6–7 (ESV): 6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

EXPLAIN

This psalm is curious, almost overshadowed by the juggernaut of Psalm 119, which expresses love for God’s Word over and over again.

In this song, the psalmist is distressed because he is surrounded by people who are dishonest. One can surmise that he regularly rubbed shoulders with people who gossiped and slandered one another.

In the final two verses, the psalmist recognizes his problem. He has lived among people for too long who are constantly bickering and fighting one another. Now, when he tries to make peace, they drown him out with shouts for war.

APPLY

The lesson of this scripture is not unique, but it is important: the kind of people we associate with regularly affects us emotionally, spiritually, etc.

If you want to be a person who is patient, kind, and easy to get along with, it helps to surround yourself with humble, forgiving, encouraging folk.

On the other hand, if you spend much of your time with people who criticize others, speak negatively about anything and everything, and are easily irritated by both real and perceived wrongs, don’t be surprised if you become an angry and irritable person also.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, please help me to have a spirit that exudes Christlike patience, peace, love, and forgiveness. Help me to be wise in who I allow to influence my life. May they be people who build up others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sweet and bitter

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HIGHLIGHT

Revelation 10:10 (ESV): 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter.

EXPLAIN

In John’s revelation of the end times, the angel with the sixth trumpet revealed three plagues which killed 1/3rd of mankind. Yet the rest of mankind did not repent of their great wickedness.

Then another mighty angel came down from heaven, setting his right foot on the sea and his left foot on land. He called out and seven thunders sounded, but a voice from heaven told John to seal up those words and not write it down. While John’s revelation tells us a good deal about the end of time, there are details that we do not know and must wait to see.

The voice from heaven spoke again, commanding John to take the scroll from the angel and eat it. It was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach.

APPLY

Reading and meditating on God’s Word for the devoted follower of Jesus is like eating a tasty supper meal. But even though we may rejoice at the wonderful words of life, we know that for those who refuse to submit to Christ, heartache and judgment await. So those same sweet words can be bitter to our stomach.

Faithfulness in proclaiming God’s Word to others is sweet, yet can be disappointing. Yet we must remain faithful in sharing the good news.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonderful privilege you have given me in being a preacher of the Gospel. May I be faithful to proclaim you Word to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The shepherd with his sheep

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HIGHLIGHT

Revelation 7:17 (ESV): 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

EXPLAIN

Revelation 7 is all about how God will take care of and reward those who determine to follow him. First, we read that God will have an angel seal 144,000 from every tribe of the sons of Israel.

Interestingly, these tribes do not match the names of 12 tribes as often listed in the Old Testament: Dan and Ephraim are missing, while Levi and Joseph (as well as Joseph’s son Manasseh) are included. This, among other reasons, may suggest that the 144,000 is a symbolic representation of all God’s people who will be sealed by the angel.

Next, John saw a great multitude that could not be numbered standing before the throne and the Lamb, worshipping God. This innumerable host was identified as those coming out of the great tribulation.

The elder who spoke to John said that these martyrs will serve God day and night in the temple, being sheltered by his presence, not hungering, thirsting, or suffering from the heat of the sun anymore. Instead, the Lamb will be their shepherd.

APPLY

If we choose to serve Jesus and remain faithful to him, we can know that he will reward us with his favor. While we may feel all alone in the dark valleys of life, we can rest assured, for He is our shepherd. We can trust that He will renew us and replenish us. All tears and sorrows will one day be wiped away, and we will live in His presence eternally, shouting and singing in worship to Him.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your assurance that you are faithful. Thank you for the promise that if we remain faithful, we can look forward to living in your very presence for eternity. Thank you that you watch out for your lambs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The good life

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 112:1–2 (ESV): 112 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

EXPLAIN

This is a beautiful psalm of encouragement for those who live for God. There are multiple promises for the upright: his children and grandchildren will be influential in the land, his estate will be wealthy, he will be secure, he will not worry when bad news arrives, and he will be honored.

Of course, such scriptures like this must be understood in context – in context with the whole of scriptural teaching as well as its own particular context.

We understand that God does not promise that following him is the path to success, prosperity, power and position. Jesus said we must take up our cross and follow him.

Furthermore, this psalm identifies this blessed man as one who is “gracious, merciful, and righteous” (v. 4), who is generous with others and lends freely, conducting his affairs with justice, giving freely to others, especially the poor.

The last verse provides a stark contrast: the wicked man who looks on with anger and jealousy at the blessed, righteous man. Yet “the desire of the wicked will perish” (v. 10).

APPLY

It is a mistake to approach living for Jesus as a means to “get rich” or “be successful” in life. Yet those who surrender themselves to God’s will find true blessing in life.

The rich young rulers, afraid to trust God and sell all they have to follow Jesus, walk away sad. But the one who submits all to the lordship of King Jesus lives the “good life”!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, my desire in life is to know Jesus fully. Thank you for the many blessings you pour upon me as I seek to live in the center of your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He alone is worthy

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HIGHLIGHT

Revelation 4:11 (ESV): 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

EXPLAIN

John began recounting his revelation by writing the letters to the seven churches dictated by Jesus himself. These letters had words of commendation, but also warning, with a promise of God’s grace if they were to repent of sin and to be faithful to Christ.

As John then described what he saw in heaven, he pictured a beautiful sight in which beasts and elders, presumably representing all of creation, surrounded God’s throne, worshipping him.

The elders had crowns, but they tossed them to the one seated on the throne, saying the words of our highlighted verse: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power.”

APPLY

As followers of Jesus, we look forward to reaching heaven and hearing the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” We want to receive the crown awaiting us for faithful, victorious service to our King Jesus.

But He is the who is worthy of recognition and praise. So, astounded, amazing and overwhelmed by his glory, we will praise him, forgetting our own accolades.

For He alone is worthy!

RESPOND

He alone is worthy

To worship and adore

The Lamb of God victorious

Our risen Lord

He purchased our redemption

Our righteousness is He

Exalt the name of Jesus

He is worthy

Alvin Slaughter

Heavenly Father, I worship you, for you are worthy. Thank you for the gift of your Son and the grace He purchased on Calvary. May I live a life of worship and then join the rest of your people in heaven for an eternity of worship for the Lion and the Lamb, the King of kings. Amen.

Fan the flame

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HIGHLIGHT

Jude 20–21 (ESV): 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

EXPLAIN

Jude’s letter lambasts false teachers infiltrating the church, using various vivid word pictures and descriptions to paint them as totally undesirable.

Near the end of his letter, he then writes encouragement to the believers, reminding them that the apostles had warned them of those who would scoff at holiness and cause trouble in the church.

Then, Jude encouraged them to build themselves up in the faith, praying, in the Spirit, keeping themselves in God’s love, waiting for Christ’s mercy.

APPLY

Sometimes, we think that the situation in the world – spiritually, etc. – has never been worse. Scriptures like this demonstrate that in various ages, spirituality has been at a very low ebb. God’s people felt overwhelmed at times in the first century as much as we might in the 21st century.

But God’s truth has endured, and God’s people, building themselves up in their faith, have gained victory, both then and now.

Our responsibility is not to curse the darkness, but to fan the flame of our faith.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I grow in Christlikeness each day, trusting you, seeking your wisdom and power, living faithfully for you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Imitate good

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HIGHLIGHT

3 John 11 (ESV): 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

EXPLAIN

John wrote a letter of gratitude and encouragement to a faithful man named Gaius, who was helping itinerant preachers or traveling Christians as they passed through his area.

John had written a letter to Gaius’ local church, but Diotrephes, who liked to be first, would not recognize the apostle’s authority. Diotrephes also refused to welcome those Christians who were traveling through, and even sought to put out of the church those who did help people in need.

John encouraged Gaius not to imitate evil, but to imitate good.

APPLY

It could have been tempting, in order to get along with this strong church boss, not to help people in need, to give various excuses why one did not need get involved. Instead, one could have sought the good graces of Diotrephes who was “in charge” so that all would go well.

But Gaius had determined to do what was right. So John challenged him to continue doing so.

It does not matter who is in power or has the most influence, in government, at work, school, or in our local church. We must imitate those who do good, not those who do evil.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me always to imitate those who do good, and be worthy of imitation by those who seek to do what is right. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

It isn’t that hard

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HIGHLIGHT

1 John 5:2–3 (ESV): 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

EXPLAIN

In the previous chapter, John urged the believers to test the spirits. To this church that had been infiltrated and devastated by false teachers, John warned them to check the doctrine and spirit of those who came in and sought to teach among them.

The true follower of Jesus confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh from God. The true follower of Jesus also demonstrates a life of love, for God is love.

Confessing Jesus is fully God and fully man and practicing the love of God toward others, but specifically the children of God, gives us confidence in a world of confusion.

And so the true follower of God love God and obeys his commandments, which are not hard to follow, because the commandments of God are summed up in one: love one another.

APPLY

Children often seem to think obeying their parents is difficult. It seems like torture to make one’s bed, clean one’s room, wash the dishes and dry them, sweep the floors, take out the trash and do laundry.

Surely, such chores take some time and effort. But as adults we find that “life” goes so much better when we have a clean house, clean clothes and a made bed.

Sometimes, we seem to approach living for God the same way as children do chores. We see all of the obligations and feel like it is impossible. But the basic essence of living in harmony with God’s will is simply loving others. When we practice love, we find life truly becomes simpler and a joy.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love which has transformed me. May I now live by your love in all my interactions with others and so fulfill your will and your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

All you need to know

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HIGHLIGHT

1 John 2:26–27 (ESV): 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

EXPLAIN

John wrote this letter to assure a church that was experiencing the aftermath of conflict with false teachers. Various ones had come in the church teaching false doctrine. The church leaders had combatted the heresy. The conflict was ugly. Love seemed to be forgotten. The false teachers and those who accepted their deception left the church.

Now, John wrote to assure the believers that their hope in Jesus was true and to assure them that the love of Christ is demonstrated in how we treat one another.

Sincere followers of Jesus Christ desire to be always growing deeper in their knowledge about and of Christ. John was not saying that these believers had no more need to be taught spiritually (or else why did he write this letter?) or to grow spiritually.

Rather, John was assuring them that these false teachers who had come suggesting they had a secret knowledge were truly hucksters. Why? The Holy Spirit within us teaches all that we need to live in the light.

APPLY

If we listen closely to the Spirit’s voice and obey His command, we can be assured that we are where we need to be spiritually. We don’t need to worry about some special knowledge or insight others profess to have. Walking in step with the Spirit, we have full assurance of our salvation.

I love to learn more about God and His Word. I love, most of all, to learn Christ more deeply. But I need not feel unsure of my spirituality. If I abide with the Spirit, He will teach me all I need to know.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for Holy Spirit who lives with me and in me. May I develop an increasing sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit and be quick to follow His lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.