And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

— Revelation 5:9

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

17 And the world is passing away, and its desire; but the one doing the will of God abides to the age.

— 1 John 2:15-17

You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

— Leviticus 19:15

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Playing it safe will not allow us to experience God’s ultimate purpose for our lives on earth. The world system embroils us in self-centered, power-driven, superficial pursuits. God’s kingdom compels us to honor people, uphold righteousness, and live sacrificially. We find safety and security not within a fortress of human power but sheltered in the strong hands of our mighty God. Let’s find our identity in God’s plan. Let our pursuit and pleasures be driven by God’s righteousness. Let’s be willing to risk for the sake of God’s glory.

God topples evil and upholds righteousness. As God’s people, we long for the reversal of injustice and the release of sin’s deadly grip on people we love. In many places today, believers suffer and die for their faith. Christ is worth dying for. He has reversed the curse on humanity and reconciled His people to Himself. By believing God’s promises, we see that today’s apparent winners do not represent God’s ultimate victors. A day of final and eternal reversal awaits God’s covenant people. Until that day, God calls us to serve Him purposefully and powerfully.