Merchants Mourn

Merchants Mourn

Revelation 18: ¹¹ The merchants of the earth also cry and mourn for her, because no one buys their goods any longer; ¹² no one buys their gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; their goods of linen, purple cloth, silk, and scarlet cloth; all kinds of rare woods and all kinds of objects made of ivory and of expensive wood, of bronze, iron, and marble; ¹³ and cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine and oil, flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and carriages, slaves, and even human lives. ¹⁴ The merchants say to her, “All the good things you longed to own have disappeared, and all your wealth and glamor are gone, and you will never find them again!” ¹⁵ The merchants, who became rich from doing business in that city, will stand a long way off, because they are afraid of sharing in her suffering. They will cry and mourn, ¹⁶ and say, “How terrible! How awful for the great city! She used to dress herself in linen, purple, and scarlet, and cover herself with gold ornaments, precious stones, and pearls! ¹⁷ And in one hour she has lost all this wealth!”

 

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Expecting to be rich, I asked for some stock tips from a wealthy person. I immediately purchased some shares of stock to practice my new route to extreme wealth! I watched “my” money grow for a minute, but then the stock began to fall. I decided to keep “my” money in. After a while, the stock went to zero and I lost “my” money.

 

• The loss came quickly.
• The loss made me mourn.
• The loss made me stay away from wasting any more time and money, searching for something empty.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was shown a great city that caused the world to sin in greedy ways. Merchants who had become wealthy mourned over the immediate loss of income from the lustful wealth they once had experienced.

 

My Observations:

• When GOD said “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” HE said it as a warning.
• GOD also warned me that humans cannot serve two masters and the choice will be between HIM or money.
• GOD wants me to love HIM with all my heart, mind and soul, so there would be no room for loving things that could harm me.

 

Having money is not the problem, it is when money has me that causes many issues. I mean, when I can easily give to people and do not care if I am wealthy or not, then GOD can trust me to not fall into the temptations of wealth. Unfortunately, wealth is flashed in front of us, seemingly, every minute of the day.

 

Business owners face a dilemma of being profitable and serving people. GOD blesses fair scales, or prices and wonderful treatment of employees and customers. I gladly put GOD at the center of my business so I will not share in the tearing down of the thing that makes greed appealing.

 

Challenge

• What detail does the writer mention?
• Have you ever wanted to be rich or at least more wealthy?
• Has money hindered your relationship with serving GOD?

All Is Not Lost

All Is Not Lost

Revelation 5: I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne; it was covered with writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel, who announced in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But there was no one in heaven or on earth or in the world below who could open the scroll and look inside it. ⁴ I cried bitterly because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Don't cry. Look! The Lion from Judah's tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll.”

 

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“My life is ruined” I thought to myself. I was told by the dean that I was no longer in school. I didn’t have a plan “B” so I felt I did not know what to do. Someone said, “Ask to get back in.” “What? You can do that?” I asked and they let me back in.

 

• I thought all was lost.
• I did not know there was a way, so I fell in despair.
• I was told there was a way and I felt relieved.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, sees the result of something not revealed to humans. A scroll of judgment was sealed by seven holy seals. He was not told why a sinless human was needed to open the scroll, but all he knew was no one was worthy. He wept bitterly. But then he was told that JESUS won the victory!

 

My Observations:

• Satan thought that he could become GOD by introducing sin into the first humans.
• No human was worthy to open the scroll because all were born into sin.
• JESUS had to become a human through a miraculous birth, live a sinless life, die in faith and be raised from the dead so HE could open the scroll that judged Satan and saved humans.

 

We do not understand the complexities of what JESUS did. We are not privy to the declaration that says Satan can have everything if the scroll could not be open. All we know is JESUS “did” open the scroll because HE is worthy! All is not lost! Hope is restored!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer weep bitterly?
• Have you ever felt that all was lost?
• Will you see that JESUS has won the victory, not only for eternal life but over your circumstance and all your situations you will ever, ever face?

Heart of All

Matthew 18: ¹⁰ “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

¹² “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? ¹³ And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. ¹⁴ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

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Looking around I could see no familiar faces. I panicked and began crying as I had no way to get myself “found.” People came over to me and led me to an office, but this provided no comfort. I was noticed, but not “found.”

• It is scary being lost.
• It is terrifying being in an unknown place where it seems to be no way out.
• It is horrifying to be lost with no means to be found.

Humanity can be the same way. Many situations can seem so overwhelming to me that I feel “lost” with no way out. BUT GOD has an answer for that.

• GOD sees me when I am in need and answers prayer before I even ask.
• GOD knows my every fear and guides me out of the darkness.
• GOD understands when I am lost and seeks me before I seek him.

I should never pretend that I am not lost when it comes to GOD. Admitting I have no idea how to be found is a start, but doesn’t do anything if no one is looking for me. GOD decided to search for me in my “lost” state. HE tapped on my heart to show me the way. It was up to me to follow HIM back to a place where it was safe. I rejoice over GOD’s search for me!

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you know your own way?
• Can you let go and allow GOD to lead you back to HIM?

Destruction Restored

Nahum 2: ² The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
    like the splendor of Israel,
though destroyers have laid them waste
    and have ruined their vines.

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“My life is ruined!” I thought to myself. I had a new pair of pants and the pen in my pocket “flooded” and drained all throughout the fabric. I had to deal with the humiliation all day, which was about five hours or so!

“My life is ruined!” I thought to myself when I was in a head on collision. Not making much money, I did not have enough to buy another car. I had to resort to walking a mile and a half to work!

• There were times when I thought “my life is ruined” because I lost something I deemed as special.
• There were times when I believed “this is the end” when something was taken out of my hands.
• There were times when I felt “Everything is falling apart” when something I wanted was not achieved.

From music collections to money, I have had things stolen, lost and destroyed. When I lost five dollars before going into the amusement park I cried like a child, because I was a child. In fact, even when I got older I was childish in response to the stuff that was now gone. What should I do?

• GOD says to me “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
• GOD says to me “You cannot serve money and ME.”
• GOD says to me “Give everything to ME and all will be well with you.”

By giving everything to GOD I noticed I did not mind “as much” if HE took whatever “it” was away. “It” is all HIS anyway. Job said “The LORD gives and the LORD takes away; blessed be the name of the LORD” and this is true. I cannot say it does not hurt to lose stuff, but I can say that I do not have to stay in mourning over the lost stuff long.

GOD says “I will restore your splendor” which means I have splendor in the first place. HE enjoys picking me up, dusting me off and placing me in a high place that I never would have expected. GOD’s plan is incredibly wonderful for me. I do not have to fret over “stuff” very long.

• Are you crying over something you lost or was stolen from you?
• Do you feel like everything is ruined now that you don’t have the income, house or car?
• Can you stop looking at the stuff for a moment and look at GOD?
• Will you allow HIM to restore you to the splendor HE made you with today?