From the very beginning our heavenly Father purposed us to live in paradise with Him. The first paradise was between the two rivers and inhabited by only two people; but it was as heaven on earth as the Lord walked among the garden in the cool of the day and His creatures enjoyed unbroken communion with Him. The word paradise itself speaks of a heavenly and pure state of endless bliss. The first paradise was poisoned by the fruit of deception and ruined by evil, but that did not disrupt our Creators' original plan. Today we turn to the final chapter and read of God's wondrous provision for the whole world. In the new paradise the tree of life has grown into an expansive and fruitful tree that extends to both sides of the river. The tree is fed by the "pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (v.1). It yields an unending supply of fruit which will be for the health and healing of God's people.
Our greatest joy and delight, and absolute fulfillment of this heavenly and eternal state, will be to see our Lord face to face. "They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever" (vv.4-5). This is where the journey of our life leads us beloved believer. The true light that has come into the world to illuminate the dark recesses of our souls with His infinite love will be for all eternity our perfect light. Jesus is the source of all our light and life in this world and in eternity to come. Apart from Him there is only darkness. How blessed we are that God's great love has been shed abroad in our hearts and we have the privilege of walking in the light of Christ. We are but a candle and Jesus is our flame and He will lead us home to the perfect paradise He has created for us. He is faithfully leading us just as He did the Israelites all those years in the wilderness: "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night" (Exodus 13:21).
Today, let us thank our Father in heaven for the beautiful reminder of the eternal paradise He has prepared for us; and let us praise Him that we can enjoy this blissful state even now as He walks with us and guides us through this life. But let us not forget that the final garden is a place filled with the nations, and it is our duty to let His light shine while we are in this present sin-polluted world so we can lead others home. May our prayers be filled with gratitude for the light we have been given, and may we commit our lives to walking in the light and reflecting His glorious light in this world. May our lips drip with the fruit of words that praise His name, extol His marvelous works, and testify to His wondrous love this day. Mother Teresa has said, "Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness." May every tender, nourishing word from God's holy Word that we feast upon each day be used to increase His light and magnify His glorious name in the earth.
Heavenly Father,
"You are resplendent with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game"
(Psalm 76:4)
"You wrap yourself in light as with a garment"
(Psalm 104:2)
And have spread Your radiant cloak around me
as the dawn of a new day.
Thank You for delivering me from the darkness of sin and shame
so that I could walk in the freedom of Your glorious light.
May every step I take in this world fill
the pathway before me with Your wonderful light.
Forgive me for the things I do which dim Your light,
or diminish other people's view of You.
How I long for the day when there will be no more
darkness, but all who are Yours will dwell
in Your wonderful Light.
To "God, the blessed and only Ruler,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light,
whom no one has seen or can see.
To Him be honor and might forever. Amen"
(1 Timothy 6:15-16)
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
___________________________________
REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!
"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)
Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Matthew 5:14-16
How extraordinary the plans and purposes of God that we are not only the recipients of His grace and glory, but we are also the vessels of it for the world. We are not to take for granted the Light we have blessed with nor the time we have been given to radiate that Light.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house" (Matthew 5:14-15). While we take time to praise God for the light He has given us, we are also called to let His light shine through us. We can increase the light within us through the diligent study of the Word of God which is a lamp for our feet, and light for our path (Psalm 119:105). When we submit to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit He will guide us deeper into all truth and make the flame of truth grow brighter, so the whole house will be filled with light. We must be careful not to waste or neglect the light we have been blessed with by hiding or concealing it; and we must be ever vigilant to protect this precious gift by not allowing our lives to be polluted by the world and so distort and diffuse His Light. God has set us apart to be a shining city on a hill. His desire for us is that our lives would be a constant and brilliant reflection of His glorious light in the world; just as it was when He was in it. The light of the gospel message is meant to be spread. We are now His ambassadors that carry His torch and He has given us His Holy Spirit to keep His flame burning.
"For this I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God...For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
The miracles that Jesus performed while He was on this earth led the people to be "filled with awe" and to "praise God" (reference Matthew 15:31; Luke 7:16; 13:13; 17:15; 23:47). His work gained praise for the Father. His life's work was to bring glory to the Father and to finish the work the Father had sent Him to do (reference John 4:34). He has chosen us to go and bear fruit and to share His light with a world in need (reference John 15:8). "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Just as the Father was glorified in the work His Son did, so too will He be glorified in us. The glory of the Father is the end and aim of our lives as believers. It is an awesome and fearful thing to know that the sight of our works will bring God glory. It is therefore vital that our conversations and deeds be praiseworthy, because the eyes of the world are upon us. "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
As we live our lives in this present world we are to do so being mindful that we are indeed the "light of the world." It is through us that those living in darkness have the hope of coming to the light of Christ. How important it is that we don't hide our light, or do anything that would cause that glorious light to be corrupted or dimmed. We are to live righteous and holy lives,
"not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21); being mindful that how we live our lives will prompt others to praise our Father in heaven! This afternoon may we take the necessary time at the Lord's table to receive the strength and instruction we need to live our lives according to God's will and purpose as we feast on His Word, and then may everything we set our hands to do today and everyday bring glory to His name and cause men to stand in awe and praise His wondrous and holy name!
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light...
abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, thought they accuse you
of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God
on the day He visits us."
(1 Peter 2:9-12)
_____________________________________
RESTORE PRAISE!
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever, Amen!" (Revelation 7:12)
Evening Devotion: Focused on His Praise - Read Psalm 18
Our Psalm this evening is a song of worship and witness. It declares the praises of God who purposed from the very beginning that God's redemptive work on behalf of His beloved people Israel included also the redemption of the Gentiles. "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy..." (Romans 15:7-9a). Jesus Christ came to save the whole world, not just one nationality of people. May we humbly accept our commissioning to carry His torch so that His light will continue to radiate throughout the whole earth. Tonight, let us take some time to offer a prayer of gratitude for those who, through obedience and godly living, provided a pure and unobstructed reflection of His light and love so that we would be drawn to the light of Christ. Let our evening end in praise to our Lord for His light which engulfs us, warms us and protects us. Praise Him, for He has carried us through this day. May we take time to close ourselves up in Christ each day and be saturated in the light of His presence, so we will be adequately dressed before we walk in this spiritually dark world. "Come...let us walk in the light of the LORD" (Isaiah 2:5).
"I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress
and my deliverer; My God, my strength,
in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy
to be praised; so shall I be saved
from my enemies.
For You will light my lamp;
the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
As for God, His way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
The LORD lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Therefore I will give thanks to You,
O LORD, among the Gentiles,
and sing praises to Your name."
(Psalm 18:1-3, 28, 30-31, 46, 49)
