Reading for today
Old Testament: Jeremiah 6, 7, 8
New Testament: Revelation 13
Thoughts from today’s reading
Jeremiah 8:20-22. We have our part to play to walk in the blessings of Gods salvation. The farmer is not responsible for the growth of the seed, but his responsibility is to plant, water and watch over it. If we sow seeds of righteousness, we will reap the benefits of God’s salvation, but if we sow seeds of disobedience, then we will reap the consequences. The children of Israel kept on sowing seeds of rebelling against God until they had no access to the goodness of the land God had given them.
Revelation 13:11-18. We must remember that the book of revelation is a book of symbolisms and what was being described was not literal. The beast that looked like a lamb and sounded like a dragon is a false religion or one that deceives. The lamb is the symbolism of the saviour, but the dragon is the symbolism of the devil, this is why the scripture warns us about false apostles and workers of deceit, even the adversary can parade himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Prayer
1. Father, you said we should watch diligently to guard against a heart of disobedience (Hebrew 4:11). We pray that the grace of God will fill our hearts today and expose any areas of disobedience in us that we might turn from such ways and walk in the light of the instructions you give us in your word. May we keep sowing in righteousness by doing the right things towards God and our fellow man daily. Let our seeds of righteousness produce a harvest of all good things you have promised us in Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Lord, you make us aware of the schemes and the plots of the enemy so that we can beware of him and stand fast against his advances. In these times we live, may we hold fast to the truth of your word, and by the power of Jesus Christ may we rise above all that the enemy brings up to deceive the people of God through religion or world systems.