Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

---

Read

Revelation 21:15-22 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls.  The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.  He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass.  The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,  the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.  And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass. I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

---

Reflect

The majority of humans now live in an urban area, as opposed to rural areas. The cities in which we live take many shapes and sizes. Some are large, some are small. Some have great wealth, some lack resources. Some of us enjoy city life, some do not find joy in the city. However, we Christians can all look forward to living in one city: a perfect city. We’ve all heard of Heaven’s “streets of gold.” But there are other characteristics we often fail to notice. The pearl gates. The walls built on foundations of jewels. A city without a temple. But these are all physical characteristics. This perfect city also has characteristics that are unrecognizable in today’s existence. A city with a perfect leader; a perfect king. A perfectly clean city – not just physically clean, but spiritually clean. A city without a need for electric lights because God’s glory provides the radiance. We may or may not enjoy or appreciate all that our earthly cities have to offer, but we can all anticipate the joy of living in this perfect city.

---

Pray

Lord, We pray for our cities. We pray that our city leaders will strive to follow you and to guide our cities towards your heavenly kingdom. We pray for the strength and courage to shine your light in our cities, so that others may come to know the joyful anticipation of being called to be a citizen of your perfect city.

Go with God!