Father, it has been as very full, last couple of days but I know that I need to sit down and have some time with You. May I hear what You have for me through Your word. Amen.
Revelation 1:17-18 (<<click green)
Every time I read Your word, Lord, I am prepared to read several verses but quite often something in a short passage makes me pause…and I paused on verses 17 & 18.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
As You showed me last I read, You were not what John (or I) expected and all of that might and power literally knocked him out! But as You had said before “Don’t be afraid!” (Matthew 14:22-33) As it was then it is now with John – You’ve got absolutely everything under control!
And I just can’t get it out of my head – I picture You bursting with joy! You are excited and You just can’t wait to get the words out to John. You’ve got absolutely everything under control! You always have but we are slow learners. People die all around us, one nightly news program and we hear way more about death than we ever wanted to hear. In our own circles, loved ones succumb to death. We can’t avoid it. It is inevitable. You died as well…but it was by no means the end!
You said, “I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever!” And here’s the kicker for us, “And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” You conquered death and the grave and because You did, we too can! We have nothing to fear! You’ve got absolutely everything under control! Nothing is outside of the all-encompassing statement!
And if we are Your children and have placed our faith in You, then You joyously extend to us the spoils of Your victory – victory over death and the grave! Thank You, Lord. May we live without fear for victory is found in You!
June 19th, Mon, 11:09 pm
