Focus
Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.
Read
Reflect
As I read this passage, I am reminded of the great words by a fantastic Bible scholar, Michael S. Heiser, who said “If something in the Bible is weird, it’s probably important.” We have in this passage a man trying to use human words to describe something that is indescribable. Perhaps you have had this experience in trying to describe a sunset with mere words and you quickly will see how difficult it is to describe an earthly beauty let alone a heavenly one. This passage reminisces the scroll given to Ezekiel 3:1-3 that was as sweet as honey to eat, but for John it is bitter in the stomach. G.K. Beal from The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Book of Revelation writes, “The scroll’s sweet taste represents the life sustaining attribute of God’s word, which empowers the prophet to carry out the task… The Bitterness is a response either to his grief over Israel’s impending doom or to his anger over their refusal to repent.” 550-551 (citation below). Often when we read the Word, it is sweet as honey to read and it is often bitter and hard to live out. We see people falling away from the faith in droves today. The message of Revelation is sweet God will one day sort all things out, but it is bitter in how many will fall away from the grace afforded to them.
Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to keep those in mind who don’t know you or even reject you. May we be readers of your sweet heavenly word and may those who don’t know you leave us in a place of unsettled bitterness and discomfort. We know that we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus trying to reach them. Amen
Go with God.
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