April 26 | Revelation 6:1-8, 15-17

Elaine Pierce
Apr 26
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Who Can Stand?

By Elaine Pierce

For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? (v. 17)

This is a startling way to end a chapter- with a bold, unsettling question. Who can stand? I am challenged to dig deep and ask myself if I can face the trials that John so vividly describes: death, war, destruction, famine, earthquakes, to name a few. These are not things I look forward to, but as we look at the world today, this is a reality for many people across the globe. The world is unstable. It can feel fragile and hopeless. Indeed, who can stand? How do we live with confidence and joy when the world seems hellbent on chaos and evil? When the ground is shaking and nothing seems certain, where do we turn?

I know that when I have tried to face trials and adversity on my own that it doesn't end well. When God seems distant - and he must have seemed far away as these early Christians experienced much persecution - it's easy to jump to the conclusion that he doesn't care....or that he is busy elsewhere.

David cries out to God often:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How log will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1).

Jeremiah doubts that God cares for him:

Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer (Lamentations 3:8)

God does not promise a stress-free life, does he? But we know that it's in the midst of anguish, in the midst of grief and stress and yes, in the midst of persecution, that God comes alongside us. Even when we cannot answer that question, Who Can Stand? with confidence, we fall at his feet and proclaim him Lord and Savior.

Be sure to read Revelation 7, especially verses 9-17. The white-robed multitude, those who experienced intense persecution - even death - because of their faith - receive assurance that "never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst....For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Who can stand? Only on the solid rock of Jesus will we be steady and firm. Cling to him and him only.

PRAYER

Lord, I look around and all I see is a mess - war, rumors of war, nations against nations. A world divided. Help me to look to you, only you, as the rock of my faith and my hope. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!