For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Rev. 13
When describing the spiritual battle, what does John say is called for on the part of God’s people? How are you doing on that score? I don’t really know what the two beasts that John saw in his vision are. But I know what they do. The first beast, whatever it is, “was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.” (Rev. 13:7a). Some see this as a vision of something slated for some future time. As I see it, though, there has been a force waging war against God’s people since the beginning. And John’s call to action in response to this beast is certainly not for some future time. “This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.” (Rev. 13:10b). That is a call for every one of us here and now.
The second beast demands worship. “It also forced all people…to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads” (Rev. 13:16). From other references in the Bible of a sign on the hand or forehead, this seems to be a mark of ownership. Thus, this beast is demanding we give him what rightfully belongs to God in both worship and devotion. It threatens death to any who don’t comply. Again, I see this as a real time, for all time thing. We are in a constant battle to choose whom we will serve. It echoes the call of Joshua as they entered the Promised Land. “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (from Josh. 24:15). Thus, John says, “This calls for wisdom.” (Rev. 13:18a). Will we serve man, who can only kill the body? Or will we serve God, who gives life to our eternal soul?
Neh. 9-10
This long prayer is a praise for all God has done. As you read it, list what it says about who God is and what he has done. While contemplating this passage in Nehemiah this morning, my train of thought took me on a bit of a wild ride. Wild though it was, it led me to one of those “Aha! – Duh!” moments. It’s amazing how a slight shift in perspective can make some things suddenly look so obvious. I’ll see if I can put my thoughts into words in something less than a novel.
The Israelites’ prayer acknowledged God’s character and their interaction with it. They noted that God is sovereign. That means there is no one and no thing above Him. Because of this, they acknowledged that God is righteous and just. That means that God is never wrong. His words, judgments, decrees, and actions are just because He is the standard. Unlike human standards, though, God’s standard never changes. God is solid rock, not shifting sand. What He says has always been, still is, and will always be. That’s it. Because the Israelites recognized this truth, they humbly admitted that they deserved all the hardship that had come to them. That’s key, because we cannot receive God’s mercy if we do not humble ourselves to acknowledge He is right in His judgments.
I once had a co-worker ask me what kind of father rejects his own child because the kid disobeyed. I can’t remember quite how he phrased the question, but it’s the familiar question of, if God is so loving and good, why does he fry those who don’t obey Him. Such questions fail to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, righteousness, and justice. By definition, righteousness cannot exist with unrighteousness. Therefore, Sovereign God, who is the standard of righteousness, is wholly just in rejecting anything that falls short of that pure standard.
But here’s the “aha!” thought. The question isn’t even valid, because as long as we remain in our own human nature, we aren’t God’s children. We are His servants. And what kind of master keeps a servant who will not do his job? In this case, our job is to obey the law. That is why the apostle Paul said that we were slaves to the Law. We either obey that law or we get fired (pardon the pun…). It is only when we are covered by God’s mercy that we become His children. As children, we receive grace that the slaves do not. God’s great mercy allows us to make that shift from servant to child but it starts with humbly acknowledging both God’s character and our own.