The following encouragement is given from the Living Savior to his suffering saint. A blessing is promised through John to you and me. Let us listen to promise of Jesus Christ:
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it …. (Revelation 1:3)
Today, I plan on seeing a blessed man who stands behind the pulpit. [I have been there.] All week long he has been studying God’s Word and preparing that which he will deliver. This minister has already been blessed in his study and meditation. As the Lord’s Day has come near, welling up in his chest has been a message given him from the Lord. And in finally getting it off his chest and out of his mouth, my pastor will walk away exhausted, exhilarated, and blessed. Whether or not his congregation is revived and transformed, he will have been improved. He will again be blessed as he communicates scripture, for the Living Savior promises a rich blessing to the man who reads and preaches God’s Word.
Today, I go to the house of the Lord. Today, I go to hear the Law and the Gospel one more time. And today, I again plan on being one blessed in the pews. As I hear God’s Word read, expounded, illustrated, and applied, my mind will be informed, and my heart will be enlarged. How wonderful it will be to hear afresh that which Christ has done for me, that which Christ is doing for me, that which Christ will do for me, and that which I can do to serve my Savior and my friends. Yes, it is the Lord’s Day, and I will hear his voice. Today, I will hear. I will be improved. I will witness a man being blessed, and I will be such a man.
Today, I will leave the house of the Lord, and I will continue to be blessed. If the Spirit helps me, I will not waste the Sunday sermon. I will sit and worship, and then I will walk and worship. I will hear and then do. God’s knowledge will transfer into godly wisdom. I will put my Master’s preaching into practice and will enjoy the consequences of walking in righteousness. Then, one more time, I will look towards my God and thank him for blessing me and my family one more time.
What about you my friends?
Today, will you go to church and see the one already blessed by the Word of God and God of the Word? Will you worship under the tutelage of the one who has studied on your behalf all the week long?
Today, will you assemble with the saints and be one blessed by the fresh bread of the Bread of Life? You need to be transformed by the Word of God; could you not grant yourself such a blessing once, or even twice, today?
Today and tomorrow, will you be both a hearer and a doer of the Word? Will you look into God’s mirror, see your sin, see your Savior, see his good instruction, and seek to walk rightly? In Luke 11:28, Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Here in Revelation 1:3 he says the same thing again. Will you be blessed on Sunday and on Monday? Will you be blessed at church and in the community? Will you commit today to put into practice that which you hear? Why be foolish? Why pass on the third blessing? Why not with your family walk in accordance with God’s precepts. Worship him in his assembly, and then worship in your office and neighborhood. Hear, do, and be more even more incredibly blessed?
Unfathomable Grace 