Corona Devo 3142
I am not too proud to admit it...the cold broke me the other morning. I had weathered the past six to seven months of Ohio-cold fairly decently. I don't enjoy the freezing temperatures and scraping ice off of cars in the morning (every morning), but that is Ohio in the Winter, and (for the most part), I accept that. Like it, or leave it...(and many do), but I am (usually) okay with living where I do.
It might have been the reality of sub-freezing temperatures in late April. It might have been losing feeling and circulation in my fingers (again) as I scraped windshields before we all set out for the day. It might have been a million other things that were out of my control that morning, but it became too much.
I began to cry angry tears (directed at no one in particular) and I went inside. I ran warm water over my fingers until I could feel them again, and then I sat down and prayed, albeit angrily.
Slowly, slowly, like circulation returning to frozen fingers...I felt it: the Lord's presence, His peace, and His victory.
“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the victory. ~Revelation 5:5
~~~
Brothers and Sisters in Christ: are you (too) at the end of your rope today? Has the world (or its people/circumstances/realities) broken you...or your spirit?
Have you wept bitterly...(or could you)?
Read on.
But do not weep on.
We have a Savior who has won the victory over all that hinders us.
“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the victory. ~Revelation 5:5
~~~
The apostle John was in exile on the island of Patmos, and the Lord gave Him revelations while he was there. They are compiled today in the last Book of the Bible, entitled, Revelation.
The Lord allowed John to see and observe and experience things that were beyond his understanding, but that were for our understanding.
In Revelation Chapter 5, John sees a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5:1), but John observes that no one was worthy to open those seals: no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it (Revelation 5:3).
Like the frozen temperatures sinking into my fingers and mood...(but John's experience was of course-MUCH more spiritually significant): John's spirit was broken by the stumping predicament of who would open the scrolls, and he wept.
Then I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. ~Revelation 5:4
But--Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if we are broken and about to weep bitterly today--the Lord speaks a word of His power and His worthiness and His victory over us today. Jesus has won the victory,
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” ~Revelation 5:4
Jesus could do what no one else could do in this Heavenly revelation because Jesus has won the victory.
Jesus Christ has won the victory over anything that is crushing us today. For me (at that moment), it was weather, but it could be finances, sorrow, guilt, pain, worry, expectations, broken-dreams or anything at all.
Don't let the struggle strangle us today, Friends: Jesus has won the victory.
“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the victory. ~Revelation 5:5
And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7) Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.(8) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
(9) And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (10) and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” ~Revelation 5:6-10
This revelation that John experienced was possible because of Jesus: (stood a Lamb as though it had been slain. ~Revelation 5:6).
The lamb (Jesus!) had been slain on the cross...but He did not stay slain. He had victory over death, and because of that, He is worthy. And because of Him...WE are worthy.
It's impossible to understand the exchange, and difficult to accept (in regard to our sinfulness), and yet...this revelation exemplifies our path to salvation...and our call to serve and proclaim our Lord as His priests.
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain,
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
(10) and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
~Revelation 5:9-10
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