Revelations 22:1-7 Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7aba Luke 21:34-36

Preparing for Advent Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer

Amidst the many thoughts that cross our minds, we sometimes dream of what Paradise, or the land of plenty would be like. We might associate Paradise with a place of beauty and perfection, which in later ages equates with Heaven. The Land of milk and honey, streets of Gold, and having our very own Mansion. .

Revelation 22:1-7 reveals the vision of John, which talks about the heavenly state which was before, is described as a paradise, alluding to the earthly paradise which was lost by the sin of the first Adam, but this scripture also talks about another Paradise restored by Jesus Christ. In the first paradise, there were only two persons to behold the beauty and taste the pleasures of it, but the new paradise is free to all that believe. The new paradise will be free from everything that is evil. There shall be no more curses. The great excellency of the new paradise is that the devil has nothing to do there. The devil cannot disturb the saints from eternal service to God.

In Psalms 95:1-7, David stirs up himself and others to praise God, for it is a duty which should be performed with our most lively affections and excitement. The scripture tells us that it is the will of God that when we give glory to him as being perfect, we should rejoice in him as our Father and King, and a God in covenant with us. Because God is a great God and sovereign Lord of all, He is great, and therefore greatly to be praised.

Luke 21 tells us that Jesus took the opportunity to impress upon his disciples the importance of praising God through our gifts, but with the right spirit. There was those of the scribes who boasted of the size of their gifts, but Jesus sited the gift of the poor widow, who gave all that she had, which caught the eye of Jesus as being more meaningful in Kingdom building. He cautioned his disciples not to get caught up in all of the anxieties of daily life, and to be prepared for that great day when he returns. Oh, what a day when he comes back for his people so that we can praise his name forever.