"Come, Lord Jesus" December 31 Readings: Malachi 3-4, Revelation 22, Psalm 150, Proverbs 31:29–31

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Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Malachi 3-4, Revelation 22, Psalm 150, Proverbs 31:29–31

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional:  Come, Lord Jesus

It's New Year's Eve. Think for a moment about what is going to be happening across our land. People are going to be going out to "have a good time." Nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, of course, but think of all the ways that people are going to be seeking happiness and fun tonight.

More than a few will seek their joy from a bottle - they will look to alcohol or perhaps some form of drugs to provide them a feeling of exhilaration. Many will seek pleasure through sexual immorality. There will be wild parties and games and activities - all sorts of fun things to participate in. Some are sinful. Some are harmless. But our manic search for fun reveals the fact that we still have not grasped one of life's great truths.

We spend a lot of time trying to find life, to find fun and contentment and pleasure and peace. But in Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, we see a truth that helps us in the search for real life. Observe verses 1 and 2.
Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations
Coming from the throne of God is a river of living water that feeds the tree of life and brings healing to the nations. Life flows from the throne of God - and nowhere else.

This world can offer us some fun (again, fun does not always mean sin). It is full of beauty and pleasure - things created by God and blessed if enjoyed within proper boundaries. People can be a great blessing. This world has a lot to offer.

But God is life. Real life, true life - it flows from his throne to us. Don't look for, from this world, what only God can offer. Eternal life, abundant life, joy, contentment, and fulfillment, flow from heaven in streams of living water. He alone satisfies the soul with everlasting joy.

The Bible begins with God, speaking the world into existence. Now, the Bible ends with God's words again.
He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 
First Jesus gives us a blessed promise. He's coming quickly. Oh, of course, quickly is defined by the One to whom a day is as a thousand years. But he is coming. One day. Soon or in the distant future, he will come and consummate this world in his glory.

And so, we say with the Apostle John, "Come, Lord Jesus." Life can be hard, or it can be good, But come, Lord Jesus. When everything is coming up roses or when it's stinking like fertilizer, come, Lord Jesus. 
Come, Lord Jesus, Come! We long for your appearing and the display of your glory. In the meantime, may our lives serve your kingdom and display your glory in this earth. 

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Pause to thank God for the blessings and challenges of 2023, and for sustaining you in everything.
Commit 2024 to God's glory and the kingdom!
Maybe this will be the year!




 

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