We
read of "gold" in both Ezra and Revelation (Ezra
1:4,6,9-11; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 9:7). In Ezra 1:6, "gold" is set
alongside "valuable gifts" and "all the freewill offerings." "Gold" is
a valuable thing. The "gold" of our lives is truly valuable when it is
given freely, as a "freewill offering." In Revelation 8:3, "gold" is
associated with "the prayers of all the saints." The "gold" of our
lives is truly valuable when it is given prayerfully to the Lord.
In Revelation 9:7, the reference to "gold" is of a different kind. It
refers to "the locusts." It does not refer directly to "gold." It uses
the intriguing phrase - "something like crowns of gold." This phrase
speaks to us of the counterfeit, something which is like the real thing
but is not the real thing. Like "the locusts", we must be "prepared
for battle" (Revelation 9:7). We must be watchful. We must guard
against the counterfeit. We must keep ourselves for God so that we may
be presented to Him as that which is truly "gold." "Prepared for
battle", we must wage war as those who trust in the Lord, "the One who
gives victory" (Psalm 144:2). This is the way of blessing: "Blessed are
the people whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 144:15).
Psalm 48:1-14 Lord, we worship You in the place of worship – “Within Your Temple, we meditate on Your unfailing love.” Help us to go out from there, and play our part in seeing that Your praise “reaches to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 48:: 9-11). How will other people know of Your love, if we don’t tell them? How will they find their way to Your House, if we don’t invite them? When we share Your Word with others, help us to remember Your promise: “My Word … will not return to Me empty, but will … achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
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