Latest / The Daily Word / August 30 – God’s Permanence, Presence, and Power
Transcript
- Robert Rosales: Hey friends, welcome to the Daily Word Podcast. I'm Robert Rosales, and along with my wife Yolanda, I have the privilege of serving as the campus pastor for our Gastonia location. Thanks again for taking a few moments to invest in God's word today. Whether you're listening on your morning commute, enjoying a cup of coffee, or you're beginning your day with the Lord, my prayer is that this time encourages you and draws you closer to Him. Remember, each day as a church, we are reading through the Bible together using the Life Journal Reading Plan. And today we're going to focus once again on a New Testament passage. Also, I want to remind us we're using the SOAP method, Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It's a really simple tool to help take God's word from the pages into your everyday lives. Now, before I share with you what I caught from today's reading, come on, pray with me. Father, thank you for this new day and for the privilege of opening your word. Quiet the distractions around us and the noise within us. Give us hearts that are teachable, minds that are attentive, and lives that are ready to obey whatever you reveal. Holy Spirit, illuminate the scriptures. And help us not only understand them, but help us live them out today. We ask this in the name of Jesus. And everybody said, Come on, Amen. Well, friends, today's passage for August 30th comes from the book of Revelation. Revelation chapter 4. And I journaled specifically from verse 8. Let me read it to us out of the New King James Version. John writes. Day and night they never stop saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. John had this incredible vision of worship in the throne room, and verse eight says, Day and night, they never stop saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was. And is and is to come. The title of my journal entry, you ready? God's Permanence, Presence, and Power. Let me explain. Let me share with you some observations that I caught from a book and a commentary. According to Ian Fair, in Conquering with Christ, a commentary on the book of Revelation, the book of Revelation was written to the churches. In Asia Minor, which faced mounting opposition from their pagan cultural environment and Roman political structures, while also becoming alienated from Jewish synagogue communities. Persecution and suffering were intensifying, and God warned the church through John's prophecy about impending crisis. The words Who was and is and is to come ascribed to our great God, the God of creation, brought strength and comfort to everyone who heard them. It was a prophetic proclamation of God's permanence, presence, and power, even in the middle of persecution. The affirmation that God is speaks directly to their present circumstances. Assuring them that despite their suffering and marginalization, divine power actively sustains them in the here and now. This wasn't abstract theology, but a concrete claim that God remained engaged with their struggle. The reference to what God was grounds their faith in continuity. Their God had proven faithful throughout Israel history. And delivered his people repeatedly and remained the same God who had guided them. This historical perspective would have reminded persecuted Christians that their current trials were not unprecedented or beyond God's capacity to address. Most significantly, the words is to come offer future hope. The promise that God will ultimately vindicate his people and judge those who oppose his kingdom. For Christians facing economic exclusion and social hostility, this wasn't merely distant comfort, but the assurance that their present suffering would not have the final word. John uses this formula throughout Revelation, opening with it in the greeting to the seven churches in Revelation 1. For and weaving it through multiple hymns. John reinforces a single message. Here it is: God's rule and reign encompasses past, present, and future. And therefore, believers can endure present hardship with confidence in ultimate vindication. Come on, somebody say amen. So, how does all this apply to our lives? Well, God's attributes highlighted in Revelation 4 8, His holiness, sovereignty, and eternal eternal power anchor our present faith and future hope. The sovereign God who sits on the divine throne exercises authority and power now, assuring me, assuring us that current struggles don't reflect. God's absence. The phrase, who is to come, points to God's ultimate return in Jesus to usher in his eternal kingdom, sustaining hope that history moves toward vindication rather than meaningless drift. Rather than viewing worship as an obligation, we remind ourselves moving forward of this vision, God's present reign, redemptive character, and future triumph. As we do that, worship becomes more and more an irresistible privilege rather than a duty we do on Sunday morning. Come on, would you pray with me? I've been greatly encouraged by Revelation 4.8. I hope you have. Father God, thank you for speaking to us today through your word. Help us to remember that you are the one who was and is and is to come. Your reign is permanent, present, and all powerful. Holy Spirit, help us to worship our God, not just on Sunday morning, but every day with every part of our lives. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Lakeshore family, as you go about your day, my prayer is that you'll continue to grow in your love for Jesus and His Word. As you invest time with Him. May he give you fresh insight, strengthen your faith, and guide your steps. Thanks for joining me today on the Daily Word podcast. I pray you've been encouraged to stay in God's Word and walk closely with the Holy Spirit. God bless you, and we'll catch you again tomorrow.