Victory Is His And His Alone
BRD REFLECTIONS
Revelation 17 and Psalm 142 (NIV)
(Liana Seah, Chairperson, BeTween Ministry)
READ:
Revelation 17 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The prophecy foretold that there will be a great city, represented in this passage by a prostitute, who rules over the kings of the world. This great city is rich with gold and gems but it is filled with immorality, impurity and blasphemies against God. They took the lives of many of God’s holy people who were witnesses of Jesus.
When the time comes, God will unite the ten kings and they will agree to join forces. First, they will fight against the Lamb and they will lose. Then, they will fight against the great city because they hate her. They will successfully defeat this great city and topple its power. This is to fulfil God’s plan and purpose, so the words of God will be fulfilled.
APPLY:
There are times when the evil ones seem to triumph and God allows it to happen. There will be times when being a witness for Jesus will cost us everything we hold dear, our possessions, our earthly power and positions, and even our families and our lives. When the end is near, God has prepared me through the book of Revelation that it will be tough, even unbearable.
However, just as this passage reveals, He is in control. In His time, He will avenge the deaths of His holy ones and victory belongs to Him.
DO:
I need to continue to draw near to Him. And when trials and tribulations come, and even when the enemy seems to be winning, I want to rely on His sovereignty and trust in His goodness. Just as the psalmist writes in Psalm 142:5-7 (NLT), “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me for you are good to me.”
PRAY:
Dear Lord, I turn my eyes to You, Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth, the Alpha and the Omega. Have mercy on me, O Lord, as I seek refuge. On my own strength, I will not be able to defeat the enemy and stay faithful when evil strikes, but I trust in Your unfailing love for me.
Thank You, Lord, that You sent Jesus to the earth so through Him, my name can be written in the book of life. I deserve to perish for all my sins, but You so love me and save me from sin. As You free me from my own sins, let me live in full trust and joyful obedience so Your plan and purpose will come to pass in my life.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
