Reading Revelation 14 this morning, I quickly felt all my inadequacies. We have only watched the Open Table Conference discussions up to Chapter 13. Chapter 14 is hard and it doesn’t take long to realize why the winepress of the wrath of God is needed. I took that to Him in prayer and He told me He is all I need. That brought to my thoughts…what is needed then? Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:34-35, 37.

The Lord God Almighty is all I need. He is everything I need. He is everything you need. Jesus was fully God and fully human in His incarnation. He showed us the way. Jesus loved the Father and put all of His trust and obedience in Him. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up the last day. John 6:38-40. Put yourself in His hands and He will show you how to love. That’s the lesson we learn when we turn to God. Love Him. Trust Him. He has us in his care and love. He will teach us His truth and His way.

Reading Revelation 14 is like reading about every generation of the Children of Israel or of us today when we turn away from God and the chaos that brings. My heart feels bruised and battered. When will we learn? Turn to God when your heart is bruised, battered, hurting, tired. Hear Him tell your heart: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3.

I empty myself daily of all that deceives my heart and turn to Him in trust and faith. I tell Him how much I love Him and how grateful I am for His everlasting love and unfailing kindness to me and all who turn to Him. Love God. He’s ready to take your hand because He knows we can’t do this without Him.