OPEN to God's REVELATION

Open to God's Revelation

Selections from Revelation 1
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God's word and the testimony about Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, "Write on a scroll what you see."... I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man.... When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, and said, "Don't be afraid! Write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this." HCSB
Stranded on the island of Patmos, about as far away as he could be from everything he'd ever known, John never thought he'd be used by God again. But he continued taking time on the Lord's Day to meet with God in worship. And one day, something unbelievable happened.

Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation, Your strength to all who are to come" (Psalm 71:18). The cry of the psalmist, longing to be used until his dying breath, seeing the lasting importance of passing down a godly heritage to his children and grandchildren, reveals the kind of heart we all should have. Even when we're old and gray, Lord, use us. Keep us open. Keep us right where you want us to be.

Look At It This Way
All of us are faced with two realms of reality. We deal with the visible, the tangible every day. We know that it is real. But there is another world, another realm of reality which vies for our attention. The spiritual, the heavenly, and the eternal! The door which John saw open was the door between earth and heaven, the aperture between the visible reality and the invisible reality. Amid all that bids you run and hide and flounder in hopelessness, don't you see that same open door? Don't you hear that same thunderous voice bidding you to come and see? Don't you see that throne and He who sits upon it? He is not wringing His hands over a world catapulting into oblivion. He does not walk around the throne with furrowed brow and worried look. He is the Sovereign God. He is running the show! Get your philosophy of history in line with that, and you will be prepared to praise. Repent of the sin of believing that things are as they appear to be. Ask God to reshape your whole perspective around the vision of God on a throne. - Jack Taylor

A Final Thought
Make it your goal in old age to keep your ear tuned more sharply to God's voice, following Him faithfully all the way to the end. This is a lifetime deal. No quitters need apply.

This devotional is courtesy of the One Minute Bible for Men of Character.

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