God's comfort

Yesterday, I started reading Revelation. It's probably one of my favorite books in the Bible that I keep coming back to and I was struck by John's encounter with Jesus in chapter 1. Particularly, these verses:

Revelation 1:9-18 ESV

[9] I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. [10] I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet [11] saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

[12] Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, [15] his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, [18] and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

I like watching American Football. In times gone by, after church, I would come home and watch the football. In American football terms, pundits would use a term like 'that man is on an island' to describe an offensive player not able to contribute to his team because the defense is playing so well against him. And 'being on an island' is meant to describe feelings of loneliness and powerlessness.

Now, imagine a man exiled to an actual island - where he is all alone, for his faith. This is the Apostle John and the Bible tells us that on a Sunday, he was in the Spirit worshipping the Lord. He no doubt would've felt lonely and powerless. And as he was worshipping he has a vision of a man. As the Apostle John looks at him, he falls face down to the ground at the sight of this man - who is the Lord Jesus. But, this is what really touched my heart yesterday morning, the Lord Jesus touched him and after he touched him the first words he spoke to him were 'fear not'.

I love that. Comforting words and encouraging words from the King of Glory spoken to a man who would've felt lonely and discouraged.

I don't know how you are feeling this morning. Hopefully you don't feel like you're 'on an island'. But, I would like to suggest to you that the same man who touched the Apostle John and spoke encouraging words of 'fear not' is the same Lord who speaks and does the same to you in season's of feeling overwhelmed, lonely and powerless. As such, how do we engage with the Lord of glory? As verse 10 tells us, get in the Spirit and worship the Lord.