Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
December 17, 2021
Read Revelation 5:1-8
1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne. It had writing on the front and the back, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 I saw a powerful angel, who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or look inside it. 4 So I began to weep and weep, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look inside it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has emerged victorious so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then, in between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb, standing as if it had been slain. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are God’s seven spirits, sent out into the whole earth. 7 He came forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne. 8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each held a harp and gold bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Good Morning! This is a new day full of possibilities. Rejoice!
As we approach celebrating the birth of Jesus, take time to breathe. For most of us, this is a very hectic time, and it is very easy to get caught up in the endless lists, unending preparation, and the general chaos that becomes wrapped around us. I work to take time each day to intentionally lift up my praise to God, so that I may once again find the precious gift from God waiting for me.
The Book of Revelations is full of imagery and I often get bogged down in the language as I try to glean what God is saying to us, to me. I read commentaries where the theologians work to unpack the meaning of the words and images, but I still find myself struggling. I have found that it is better for me to read small passages and let the words stew for a bit in my brain. For today, I am comforted by the last verse with the bowls full of our prayers.
As humans, we create timelines through which we plot out our lives. These timelines can be in the form of very specific goals or just general thoughts of when we expect or hope to accomplish things. For example, you might expect to be married, begin your career, or retire by a certain age. Obviously, these expectations go through changes as we live our lives, but we have some concept of time that rules our thinking.
The problem is that God’s time and God’s ways are not ours. When we offer a petition or prayer to God, we expect that we will receive an answer within the general concept of time that governs our human lives, so when we don’t see an immediate answer, we think that our prayers are unanswered. God hears and answers our prayers. Amen! The imagery of the bowls of prayers filling the air like incense around God reminds us that God is always listening and will always be with us.
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. May we trust in You fully. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today, I will confidently trust God for all that I need.
God is With Us! Pastor Liz
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