SWHW Bible Reading Plan: December 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Lauren Diggs:

Chapter 18 of Revelation doesn’t exactly leave us walking away all warm and fuzzy. It reveals what awaits those who don’t live for Jesus and instead live for the luxuries and riches and sinful desires of this world. And God is very clear about how quickly it all takes place.

“For in a single hour your judgment has come.” Revelation 18:10b

“For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” Revelation 18:17

“For in a single hour she has been laid waste.” Revelation 18:19b

I can’t help but feel an urgency to proclaim the gospel after reading this chapter. It reveals to us how fleeting and, honestly, downright meaningless chasing after earthly treasures is. I mean, we know this, right? 

But do we know it? Does my life match what I know to be true, or does it show something different? Am I living my life for the glory of God or my gain? Do I chase after Jesus and building His kingdom, or do I run myself ragged building earthly treasure? What is my focus? Who am I living for? 

Our lives are fleeting. We don’t know when they will end, but we know they will. And we know it happens all too quickly. Some more so than others, but nonetheless, quickly. We can see throughout Scripture the warning to not waste the life we are given. John Piper puts it so simply in his book Don’t Waste Your Life when he says, “Remember, you have one life. That’s all. You were made for God. Don’t waste it.”

And we can see very clearly here in Chapter 18 of Revelation exactly what a wasted life looks like and how quickly it’s over. When we run after the bright and shiny prizes this world has to offer, we run ourselves into the ground because the second we attain one, another newer, brighter and shinier prize pops up that we have to go after. But when we run with endurance after Jesus, we gain an eternal prize that will never fade or need to be replaced. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- check it out! 

Let’s take today’s reading as a reminder to check our hearts and the treasures we’re pursuing. Are they for the kingdom of God, or are they for the kingdom of me? 

And let’s allow it to also stir up a fire in us for the unsaved in our lives. They are living the one life they have-- blind, chasing after stuff that will all be gone one day. We have the truth that removes the blinders from their eyes and reveals their purpose on this earth and eternity. 

Don’t overlook your eternal prize running after earthly ones. And don’t overlook gathering others’ souls for eternal life as you gather stuff for your earthly one. 

Dear Heavenly Father, I know I fall short far too often. I know I chase after fleeting things, and in eternity, they don’t matter. Please forgive me. Convict me quickly when my desire is for stuff over You. Help me to discern between earthly prizes and eternal ones and chase only after the eternal. I want nothing more than to live my life for Your glory and Your glory alone. Show me how, give me what I need to do so, and help me live a life that matches what I say and know to be true about You. I love You, Lord. Amen.