I would never pretend that I am adept with knowledge about our political system. But, it does not take in-depth knowledge to know that we are at a cross roads in our current situation. If you happened to watch the Democratic Debate on Wednesday evening you might be where I am at today, questioning what in the world can come from all of this.
I imagine that is how the Jews felt during the time that the book of Revelation was written. The Jews were God’s special people. They were the great family, which had been promised to Abraham in the desert eons ago (back in the first book of the Bible, Genesis). But now, the Roman Empire seemed to be taking over. The Jewish people were questioning their identity as the Roman Empire continued to rule their power over all the people.
The Jewish people were yearning for a different kind of government. They longed to be ruled by a savior. God gave the people a new vision in the following verse,
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
Revelation 21:6
In times of confusion and tension we can imagine that our kingdom is breaking down. Or, we can imagine that God’s kingdom is coming to fruition. We can sit back and watch our government, schools, neighborhoods or families change and struggle. Or, we can lean into God and be the change we wish to see in the world around us.
God is in EVERYTHING, even in the political instability we see today. He is in all the areas of our life where we feel unsettled. We have a choice in all these matters as to how we respond.
It is Jesus who is the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Jesus is the one who died, rose from the dead and is alive forevermore.
Thank You Jesus for Your gracious plan of redemption. This plan starts and finishes with YOU. Today, may we share Your living water with all around us so that they may know who You are and what You have done for us.