Tag: How long?
How Long, Sovereign Lord?
Scripture reading for December 7th: Revelation 6, Psalm 94, Proverbs 27
Revelation 6: 9-11 “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been killed.”
As John witnessed the Lamb opening the seven seals, he saw a multitude of souls under the altar, all in heaven through martyrdom. They were calling out to the Sovereign Lord, asking “how long” before the judgment and avenging of their shed blood. At this, John saw them given white robes and instructions to rest a while longer. This indicated that there were others that would die as martyrs and join them, also robed in the white of Christ’s righteousness. After the full number of those witnesses would arrive at the altar, then the judgment would come on those on earth. The Lord is truly a ‘Stronghold’ and ‘Rock of Refuge’ for His people and the wicked will be wiped out by their own wickedness.
Psalm 94:22-23 “But the Lord has become my Stronghold, and my God the Rock of my refuge. He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are a Refuge for Your people, not only in this life, but for all eternity. Thank You for the promised justice for those of Your people who were mistreated and killed for their testimony of Jesus Christ. Through Your Word, we have a vision of what is to come. Use me to share Your Word of protection for believers and the judgment of the wicked as a warning and encouragement.
Proverbs 27:20 “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.”
Touching the Garment of Jesus!
Scripture reading for January 9th: Mark 6, Psalm 6, Proverbs 6
Mark 6: 53-56 “When they had crossed over, they came to the land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
The word about Jesus spread like wildfire among the people in the land of Gennesaret. Jesus had just fed the five thousand by dividing the five loaves and two fish from a boy’s lunch. He had sent the disciples in a boat ahead of Him while He spent time in prayer. He had walked over the water, gotten in the disciples’ boat, and now they were met by crowds of people bringing their sick on beds. They had evidently heard about the woman who touched Jesus’ garment and was healed. They found Jesus in the marketplaces. They begged to touch His garment as well! Each one who touched was healed! Faith is simple, contagious and brings the joy of results!
Psalm 6:2-3 “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled, but You, O Lord–how long?”
Prayer: Lord God, sometimes, when we are stuck on a bed of sickness, even our bones feel troubled! Forgive us, like the psalmist of old, for crying out in our impatience! Thank You Lord for Your promises of healing from Jesus that reflect Your Father-heart. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and gifts of healing that I might touch people in Your Name in life’s meeting places and marketplaces. Amen! Hallelujah!
Proverbs 6:20-22 “My son, keep your father’s commandment and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”
How long, O Sovereign Lord?
Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 6
Key Scriptures: Revelation 6:9-13 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. When he opened the sixth seal, I looked and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.”
John next records the vision he received of the opening of the seven seals that bound the scroll taken by the Lamb/Lion (Jesus Christ) from the hand of God the Father. As each seal was opened, events unfolded in heaven and then there was corresponding action on earth. The fifth seal brought John a vision of souls under the altar of God. These were the souls of martyrs who had been killed on earth for their testimony and their stand for the Word of God. These souls were crying out for an answer: “How long before You judge and avenge our blood. . .” The answer was a command to rest and trust God as His mercy was patient until all of His own were gathered in. As the sixth seal was opened, a great earthquake shook the planet and the heavens darkening the sun and turning the moon red like blood. This brought great fear on the earth among the mighty and the common people.
Revelation 6:14-15 “The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and powerful, and everyone, slave or free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, . .”
Faith confession and prayer: O Sovereign God and Father, thank You for Your patience with me and the grace that is offered to me a great sinner. I am thankful for Your amazing patience with the rebellious of this world, knowing that it is Your patience that has kept them from judgment and justice. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me with grace to live a holy life and proclaim Your love and mercy to a rebellious world before the Day of Your wrath.
Revelation 6:16-17 “. . .calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come.”