Daily Devotions
The aftermath of the Vietnam War was a terrible time for families. My husband was separated from his family by going to a prison camp, becoming a boat person, and then living on the other side of the world as a refugee. It was twenty years before he saw his oldest sister again—the one who raised him like a mother.
Can you imagine the looks on their faces when they finally saw each other again?
The tears. The delight. The overwhelming joy that couldn’t express itself in words. That’s the kind of thing that is going on in this picture of Jesus and His people, reunited at last in God’s kingdom.
Of course they shout! Of course they fall down before Him! Some kinds of love and joy need your whole voice, your whole body, to express. And they have reason to celebrate—for as the elder tells John, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
These are Jesus’ people, made pure by Jesus’ blood. He has rescued them from all death and evil and brought them safely home to His Father’s house. And now they see Him face to face. How can they not celebrate? Truly, as Jesus says on another occasion, “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out!” (Luke 19:40b)
This is “happily ever after” for Jesus and His people—the end of all their suffering, and the culmination of their love story. It is also the prologue to all the wonderful things they are going to do together in eternity. May we all be a part of it.
WE PRAY: Father, draw many more people to the love and salvation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have trouble relating to the description in Revelation? Why or why not?
2. What do you think that day will be like for you?
3. How do you think the story of Jesus and His people will continue?