5th. December. 2020. Daily Devotion.
2 ‘Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 ‘Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practise magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.
16 ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.’
17 The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes, take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:12-17
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last letter. Saying that “I am the Alpha and Omega” is a poetic way of restating that God is the very beginning of all things and will be the very end. There was nothing before Him, and there can be nothing after Him, because He is eternal.
Alpha and Omega became a common Christian symbol in the early days of the church; like the fish, it was often used by Christians in areas where they were persecuted, where the authorities would immediately recognize a cross and investigate to identify Christians in order to arrest them. The painting below shows Christ holding a book in His hand, with the Greek letter alpha on one page and omega on the other. Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the meaning and the purpose of our lives. He invites us to come and enjoy the water of life.
Prayer to Thirst for God
Lord God, I have tasted your goodness and it has satisfied me, yet it has made me thirst for even more. I am so painfully aware of my need for even more grace than I now enjoy; and even when I do not want more, I am ashamed of my lack of desire. I want you completely, mighty God, and I want to want you even more than I do.
Fill me with longing for you; make me even thirstier. Show me your glory, I pray, so that I may know you always better and better, growing in my faith and love. From your infinite mercy, begin a new work of love within me this moment. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ And give me grace to rise up and follow you, from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. Amen. ~ adapted from a prayer of A. W. Tozer
Advent Reflection and Prayer
“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:7
There are approximately 200 independent sovereign states in the world. There are lots of forms of government. There are places that are being governed badly. People are living in fear, others are dying of starvation or disease, many face persecution. There is darkness upon many lands. In the promises of the coming of Jesus we are given a picture of one who governs with justice and righteousness. Jesus is the one who alone can bring peace. He is the prince of peace. Take time to think of one place in the world where people are suffering.
Prayer
Lord, have mercy, bring order out of chaos, protect the vulnerable, strengthen the weak and give voice to the voiceless. Let your peace come to us, God, and let righteousness and justice flow like a river. Amen.
A hymn about Christ the Alpha and Omega:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt75zI4kz6g