Revelation 13:1-10. Endurance and faithfulness.
Just because I have been redeemed and my name is written in the Book of Life does not mean that I live in a kind of spiritual bubble free from having to endure suffering, trials and tribulations of one sort or another.
The blasphemous beast (6) is always around. It masquerades as atheistic scientists like Dawkins, and it preaches in heretical churches. I, too, can be like the beast in todayamprsquos readings when I sin, breaking my relationship with God for my own prideful, selfish reasons.
My wife and I were talking about my children today. What kind of grade would I give myself as a father? What grade would my children give me? I said my children would give me a higher grade than I would because I see more clearly my sins against them.
One of my sins was persecuting them, just like the beast waging war against Godamprsquos people (7).
How did I persecute them? By first judging them and then ordering them to do my will. In the classroom I was an effective teacher because I asked questions of my students. I didnamprsquot tell them what to think and what to do.
I asked questions that led them to think for themselves and come to conclusions by thinking and asking their own questions, stepping outside of themselves to consider things more objectively.
I never did that with my own kids. I mostly gave orders. I didnamprsquot have a lot of conversations with them that I recall because I was busy working two jobs when I was raising them. I was always tired and thought I didnamprsquot have the time.
I especially sloughed off my spiritual responsibility by leaving the church to train them. I didnamprsquot talk to my kids about my own life, my own childhood unless it was to unfavorably compare them to me.
In recent years Iamprsquove been learning to tell my story to my children and to others.
Today I had the opportunity to give my testimony to two people at my university, one a student, the other my professor. I was surprised to find that they too were believers in Jesus. Now we feel stronger because we know there are other faithful believers around us enduring in the midst of a threatening world.
My application today was to talk to one person and God gave me a bonus of two. To one I said I felt like Resurrection Man because God raised me up from jobless, lonely poverty to a wonderful church, a loving wife, and a good job.
Application: Sharing my life in God with others.
Lord, let me not be afraid of beastly governments and authorities that others worship. Keep me faithful to you, my rock and refuge.
