Be still: I remind myself, Jesus, that you are the one who sits on the throne. Let me live in the truth this morning that you hold all things together. Amen
Read: Revelation 6
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood.' (v9–10)
Encounter: Revelation isn’t always the lightest of reads, aye! But in the middle of this apocalyptic and quite abstract bit of text that can be hard to make sense of, these words leap off the page:
‘How long, Sovereign Lord?’
Have you ever watched the news and, when things feel unendingly miserable, bleak, like there’s no hope, quietly muttered, ‘Gosh, Jesus better be coming back soon!'
Sometimes it feels easier to look away or soothe ourselves with comforts and distraction.
Throughout the Bible, we see how our deep pain for the world we live in, can be turned into deep prayers that are placed into the hands of our Father God.
‘How long, Sovereign Lord?’ is the cry of the martyrs as they see darkness taking over the world they love and care for. In today's speech, it is perhaps better translated as: God, do you actually see this? When are you going to do something?’
And this isn’t a new prayer. David prayed it too: ‘How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?’ (Psalm 13) These words can be a framework that leads us into honesty before God. Try it yourself – 'How long Lord until…’ You fill in the blank!
Until… I see my friend come to know you.
Until… there’s enough money each month.
Until… the conflict starts to cease.
One final important thing to note, even in the chaos of this chapter, is that it's the Lamb who opens the seals – Jesus is still in control. Evil isn’t running unchecked. God sees the suffering, he hears the cry of his people, and justice is coming.
Apply: What are the things happening in my life or in the world around me that are painful? How can I turn the pain of these situations into honest prayer?
Devote: Thank you God that even in the chaos you are still Lord. Help me to bring my honest pain and prayer to you today.