My heart has felt heavy lately. I’m also stressed in the current state of my life, so maybe that’s part of it, but with the way the world is… the wars going on, in light of what’s going on in Israel. It’s a lot.

On top of that, I’m reading Revelation.

Major question: why are people the way they are?

Simplest answer: sin infected the world and its been running rampant.

We’ll not see the promised new heaven and new earth until all these things found in Revelation have come to pass.

So far my friend and I have read together the first six chapters. Last night we read chapters 4-6 and below are a few truths for us today.

God is seated on the throne. He lives forever and ever. Always was, is and always will be. All things exist through Him, by Him and for Him.

John began to weep when no one could open the scroll, but then there was Jesus. The Lamb that was slain is the only One who can open the scroll with the seven seals. Our Lord and Savior is alive – we know He’s coming back to earth and He’s with us even today through His Spirit.

We can praise Him even in the midst of war and tribulation. In fact, that’s what we’re called to do. It’s just easier said than done.

Even though we may not be facing attack like Israel, how can we live these things out in our daily lives?

The Word of God challenges and encourages us continually. I pray that we would be a people grounded in His truth and filled with hope in a God who saves and keeps His promises.

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“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”

Philemon 1:4-7