Scripture
“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:1-9)
Observation
Through this chapter, John teaches us a key truth about our lives:
What we expect will happen in life is often different from what actually happens, especially with God.
In this chapter, John tells us two key parts of his vision: a scroll with seven seals and the only one who can open the scroll. The scroll is significant because it contains the secret to how God’s Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven, referencing Old Testament prophecies found in Isaiah 8:16, Ezekiel 2-3, and Daniel 12. There is only one person in all of heaven and in all of earth that has the power and the authority to unlock this scroll.
Interestingly, we find that there is a key difference between what John hears about this person and what John sees about this person. He hears that the one who can open the scroll is the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” and “the Root of David.” Both of these images depict strength, triumph, and power. However, what John sees is not someone or something of great power; rather, he sees a slain lamb––an image of fragility, timidity, and vulnerability.
Often, each of us holds personal expectations of how God will appear in our life. “He’ll work through this particular action” or “He’ll move through this particular person,” we think. While He is definitely able to do so, God, in His ultimate sovereignty and omnibenevolence, will often work in ways we don’t expect, for His thoughts are higher, His understanding is greater, and His ways are far better than ours. What we expect will happen in life is often different from what actually happens, but because God is in control, we can live with the full assurance that what He allows to happen in our lives is ultimately what’s best.
Application
Expectations are not inherently bad. In fact, the Bible talks about expectations of redemption (Romans 8:19), expectations of judgment (Hebrews 10:27), and, of course, expectations of His return. Expectations have the power to allow us to look past the present moment and see God’s grand design for life.
However, expectations also have the potential for us to put God in a box. Instead of giving Him full permission to work and move in our lives as He sees fit, we command Him to show His power and goodness through the specific way we have crafted for ourselves. In the process, we fail to see the myriad of ways God is already active in our life because we are so concentrated in looking only where we expect to see Him. God is working in your life right now. Are you looking for Him in the right places?
What expectations do you have for God? Where do you hope He’ll move? How do you think He’ll move? Have expectations that God will indeed move in your life, because He will––He is so good that He already knows and already cares about every single worry that you have, no matter how big or how small they may seem. However, in looking for God in your circumstance, don’t forget to tilt your head, move your eyes, and turn around often. See the full scope of your life. When you do, you might just find that He’s already been working in your life––maybe you just haven’t seen it yet.
Prayer
Lord,
You see us, you know us, and you love us. I thank You that You are a God who always cares about us and actively works in all of our lives. I am sorry for the times where I become too concentrated on my own plans for my life that I fail to look around and see that You are already here, working in places where I have failed to look. Your ways are higher than mine, and I trust You fully. Thank You that You are already at work in my life. You are good.
In Your name I pray,
Amen
