And I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands was One like a Son of Man, dressed in a foot-length robe wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. Rev. 1:12, 13.
One day a highway patrolman in South Dakota was heading north on Interstate 29 just as I was heading south past him. Since my speed control was set at the speed limit (65 miles per hour), I was not concerned about his presence. I was obeying the law. So when the lights on his car began flashing and he slowed to make a U-turn, I remained calm with a clear conscience. I figured he must be after someone else (although the road was fairly deserted at the time).
As he came up and moved behind me it was clear that I was the one he was after. With a clear conscience I pulled over, curious as to what the problem was. "Did you know that you were traveling kind of fast?"
"No, sir," I replied courteously, "I had my speed control set at 65 miles per hour."
His next assertion startles me. "You registered 77 miles per hour on my radar."
"That's impossible," I responded as courteously as outrage would allow. "I've been traveling at this setting for 3,00 miles now and no one has stopped me. Are you sure there isn't something wrong with your radar?"
That comment was probably a negotiating mistake, correct as it may have been. It required me to make a substantial contribution to the well-being of the community I was passing through. Although I felt angry about it for weeks, I could do nothing about it.
John sees Jesus among seven golden lampstands, which represent the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:20) The vision portrays Jesus as walking among the lampstands, ministering to the churches. The background to this idea is the Old Testament covenant: "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people" (Lev. 26:12, NIV).
One of the best things about the covenant concept is that God is not arbitrary. He subjects Himself to the covenant. "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands" (Deut. 7:9, NIV). God is not like the ancient pagan gods who couldn't be trusted. The Hebrew God approaches His people in a consistent fashion, obeying His own rules. This is a tremendous source of security and stability for our spiritual life. We know what to expect from Him. I'm thankful God is not like that highway patrolman in South Dakota.
Lord, I commit myself anew to You today. I desire the spiritual stability that You have promised in Your covenant with us.
One day a highway patrolman in South Dakota was heading north on Interstate 29 just as I was heading south past him. Since my speed control was set at the speed limit (65 miles per hour), I was not concerned about his presence. I was obeying the law. So when the lights on his car began flashing and he slowed to make a U-turn, I remained calm with a clear conscience. I figured he must be after someone else (although the road was fairly deserted at the time).
As he came up and moved behind me it was clear that I was the one he was after. With a clear conscience I pulled over, curious as to what the problem was. "Did you know that you were traveling kind of fast?"
"No, sir," I replied courteously, "I had my speed control set at 65 miles per hour."
His next assertion startles me. "You registered 77 miles per hour on my radar."
"That's impossible," I responded as courteously as outrage would allow. "I've been traveling at this setting for 3,00 miles now and no one has stopped me. Are you sure there isn't something wrong with your radar?"
That comment was probably a negotiating mistake, correct as it may have been. It required me to make a substantial contribution to the well-being of the community I was passing through. Although I felt angry about it for weeks, I could do nothing about it.
John sees Jesus among seven golden lampstands, which represent the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:20) The vision portrays Jesus as walking among the lampstands, ministering to the churches. The background to this idea is the Old Testament covenant: "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people" (Lev. 26:12, NIV).
One of the best things about the covenant concept is that God is not arbitrary. He subjects Himself to the covenant. "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands" (Deut. 7:9, NIV). God is not like the ancient pagan gods who couldn't be trusted. The Hebrew God approaches His people in a consistent fashion, obeying His own rules. This is a tremendous source of security and stability for our spiritual life. We know what to expect from Him. I'm thankful God is not like that highway patrolman in South Dakota.
Lord, I commit myself anew to You today. I desire the spiritual stability that You have promised in Your covenant with us.
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