Daily Devotion • February 7
As we continue to share devotions written by Dr. John Buchanan during his time as Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, today we reflect on a meditation from December 2003.
Today's Scripture
Revelation 7:9–12
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (NRSV)
Reflection
The Revelation of John is the proper name for the last book in the Bible, the book least understood and most misunderstood and misinterpreted. We know it was written in a time of fierce persecution, when Christians were discouraged, despairing, and frightened. The future looked very grim. And one of those Christians, an old man, maybe even John the beloved disciple, in a prison cell on the Island of Patmos, had a religious vision that gave him courage, stamina, and hope. So he wrote it down and secreted it out of his jail cell, and when it was read by beleaguered, depressed Christians, it buoyed their spirits and gave them the stamina they needed to go on.
I love the part of the vision in the passage today — a great multitude from all nations, tribes, peoples, languages — God’s international reconciliation project, a reunification of the divided and separated human family with an angel choir singing the magnificent “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah.
I need John’s vision: a reminder that no matter what is going on in the world, a sovereign God is still Lord of history and ultimately all will be well and nations will live in peace.
Prayer
Dear God, help me today be part of your reconciliation project. Help me remember your love for me and for my neighbor and for all your children everywhere. For your gift of love in Jesus Christ, hear my personal prayer of gratitude and adoration. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be yours, forever and ever. Amen.
Written by John M. Buchanan, Pastor Emeritus
December 5, 2003
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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