December 16

The Payday of Sin and the Promise of the Lamb

People today often see faith as something useful, not something to submit to. They pick it up when life breaks and set it down when it doesn’t. Something to put down when it costs too much. Scripture will not let us frame it that way. God is not a means to our ends. He is the end. When John gazes into heaven, he does not see consumers or negotiators. He sees a countless multitude from every nation standing before the throne and before the Lamb, crying out with one voice that salvation belongs to God and to the Lamb ~Revelation 7:9-10. Heaven is not about self. Heaven is about God.

The point of that scene is not just that. It tells us who gets to be there. The people before the throne did not get there by accident or convenience. An elder says they came out of great tribulation, and their robes were made white in the blood of the Lamb ~Revelation 7:14. They did not purify themselves. Christ purified them. Scripture says the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin ~1 John 1:7. That cleansing produces allegiance. Those before the throne now serve God day and night because redemption always issues in obedience ~Revelation 7:15.

The Bible speaks plainly about why we do what we do. God is not mocked. A man reaps what he sows ~Galatians 6:7. You cannot sow self-rule and reap eternal life. You cannot live for sin and expect peace with God. Scripture is clear that your sin will find you out ~Numbers 32:23. The crowd in Revelation did not outwit judgment. They endured because they were the Lamb’s. Jesus said the one who endures to the end will be saved ~Matthew 24:13.

This is hard against modern religion. A lot of people want God as a helper. Not a ruler. Forgiveness without repentance. Blessing without submission. Jesus calls that out straight when He says, Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say ~Luke 6:46. Faith that does not obey is not saving faith. James says faith without works is dead ~James 2:17. Not because works save. But because living faith always follows Christ.

The reward is not comfort now. It is security forever. God says those who belong to the Lamb will never hunger, never thirst, and be sheltered by His presence ~Revelation 7:16. The Lamb is their Shepherd, and He will lead them to living water ~Revelation 7: 17, just as Jesus says whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst ~John 4:14. This is not sentimental religion. This is covenant reality.

The warning is this. God does not exist to serve our plans. Scripture says the Lord has made everything for His purpose ~Proverbs 16:4. Every life bows. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ~Philippians 2:10-11. The only question is whether that confession comes in repentance now or in judgment later.

The call is not complex and it is urgent. Repent and believe the gospel ~Mark 1:15. Turn from sin. Trust the blood of the Lamb. Follow Him wherever He leads. Do not play games with God. Sin has a payday, and it always cashes in ~Galatians 6:7. But mercy is real, forgiveness is full, and life is found only in the Lamb who stands at the center of the throne.

Micah 5:1-7:20
Revelation 7:1-17
Psalm 135:1-21
Proverbs 30:5-6

Read Today’s Scripture – Click Here

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New Testament: Revelation 7:1-17

Summary:
The 144,000 of Israel Sealed
A Great Multitude from Every Nation

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ~ Revelation 7:9-10

Revelation Chapter 7 – (Useful Bible)

7:1-3 – A delay in God’s judgements
7:4 – God’s plan for the Jewish people
7:5-8 – The 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel
7:9 – God’s people from every nation
7:10 – Salvation belongs to God
7:11-12 – All the angels praise God
7:13-14 – The people who came out of the great tribulation
7:15-16 – People who live under God’s protection
7:17 – The Lamb will be their shepherd

Overview: Revelation 1-11 – Click Here

Proverbs: 30:5-6

Lies with Truth

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5

I set my Bible on the podium and stared at the eager faces waiting for me to begin the message. I’d prayed and prepared. Why couldn’t I speak?

You’re worthless. No one will ever listen to you, especially if they know your past. And God would never use you. Seared into my heart and mind, these words spoken in various ways over my life ignited a decade-long war against the lies I so easily believed. Though I knew the words weren’t true, I couldn’t seem to escape my insecurities and fears. So I opened my Bible.

Turning to Proverbs 30:5, I inhaled and exhaled slowly before reading out loud. “Every word of God is flawless,” I read, “he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” I closed my eyes as peace overwhelmed me, and I began to share my testimony with the crowd.

Many of us have experienced the paralyzing power of negative words or opinions others have of us. However, God’s words are “flawless,” perfect and absolutely sound. When we’re tempted to believe spirit-crushing ideas about our value or our purpose as God’s children, God’s enduring and infallible truth protects our minds and our hearts. We can echo the psalmist who wrote: “I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them” (Psalm 119:52).

Let’s combat lies we’ve accepted about God, ourselves, and others by replacing negative speak with Scripture.

By: Xochitl Dixon From: Our Daily Bread