Do not weep (Revelation 5)
From within his isolation and exile on Patmos, John tells us, "I wept and wept." But these were not tears for the hardships he was enduring; they were tears because no-one was found worthy, anywhere in all creation, to open the scroll he had seen. The scroll sealed with seven seals, the scroll with writing inside and out.
This is the scroll that holds recorded the plans of the living God, the purposes of his heart. Plans to restore order and beauty to a world of chaos, to bring light into the darkness, to judge sin and evil, and to bathe all creation in his healing light. And no-one could open it. No wonder John weeps and weeps.
But a voice tells him to weep no more: someone has been found worthy to open it. Told that one is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, John turns only to see a lamb, looking as if it has been slain, bearing all the marks of suffering and sacrifice. This one - and John intuitively knows his identity - is worthy to take the scroll, to break open its seals, to unveil and unleash the saving works of God because he was slain and with his blood rescued those "from every tribe and language and people and nation."
God's plans for your life, for the life of his churches, for his great rescue mission in and for this world might seem to our limited view to be at something of a standstill. Education put on hold; employment uncertain; churches closed and mission agencies in limbo. But the reality is far different. In his life, our Lord Jesus was able to affirm that his Father was always at work and so he worked continually too. From prison, the apostle Paul could say that "God's word is not chained" because the all-worthy lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ, has shed his blood to open the seals.
Not chained in your life. Not chained in the church or in the world. Not chained but powerful and active and healing.
As the sun continues to rise each day, the Lord of life is active. His plans for fruitfulness continue to ripen - sowing, growing, reaping in our lives: joy in days of sorrow; hope when all around us seems broken beyond repair; faith in a risen Saviour.
And the fruit of worship as we join the chorus, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise."
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God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His works in vain;
Gos is his own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
(William Cowper, 1731-1800)
