Startling Images to Sustain our Faith

Text: Revelation 12:1-12

Reflection and Question: There is general agreement that John wrote Revelation to sustain Christians in a time of persecution and peril. The images of the protection given to the child “taken to God (12:5)” and to the mother who “has a place prepared by God” (12:6) promise similar comfort to all threatened believers in every time and place. So all Christians who feel attacked or persecuted can know that God has prepared a safe place for them. How can we give comfort or shelter to those who face persecution within our own community?

Prayer: Blessed Jesus, startle us out of our fears of threat and danger. Help us to know in our minds and hearts Your salvation and power so that our spirits may be nourished and we may, today, love God and love our neighbors as You say. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).