I’ve been reading Revelation. Powerful stuff. It’s easy to think it’s way in the future or just a futuristic story not to be taken seriously. What do we take for granted? What do we need that we depend upon to always be there? People who have lived through disasters quickly understand that everything can be taken away…homes, cities, security, safety, lives.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4.

To be blessed by God is to realize how much we need Him for everything. Revelation describes the judgments of God on a sinful, deluded world. Everything we count on will be taken away including creation itself. Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. Revelation 10:1-3. John was told in vision to eat the scroll v. 9. The prophet Ezekiel was told the same thing in his vision Ezekiel 3:1. Ezekiel was prophesying to ancient Israel just as the Apostle John was prophesying to all of us.

What is it to be blessed by God? To have His peace. God is in charge. His judgments came true to ancient Israel. They will come true again. In the meantime we face challenges daily in our health, our families, our jobs, our countries, our world. Our secure personal world can quickly change when we face problems too big for us to handle alone.

God has been witness to the sins of this world throughout all mankind and yet He never stops loving us and wanting what is best for us. When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death; a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1-2) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:12-17).

Trust in the Lord and let the light of His face shine on you…and fill you with a peace that can only come from Him. I’m learning to trust God one day at a time and He is opening my heart and mind to His Presence. I find His peace there. His peace removes the turmoil of my anxious worries. The world and everyone on it is in His hands. Turn to Him. Repent of not trusting Him for everything and ask Him to show you how. The greatest blessing you will ever know is His love for you and He tells you to repent and turn to Him. Take His hand and walk with Him…He knows the way.